A authorized feud between the co-founders of Lux Optics, the developer behind the Halide digicam app, revealed that Apple was near buying the corporate. As first reported by The Information, Apple held acquisition talks for Lux Optics, which additionally developed the Kino, Spectre and Orion apps, in the summertime of 2025.

In accordance with The Info, the deal ultimately fell via in September of that yr, however the potential acquisition may’ve supplied Apple with the third-party software to enhance its personal built-in digicam app. Apple is already rumored to be introducing variable aperture to its upcoming iPhone 18 Professional fashions, so it is not stunning that the iPhone maker was on the lookout for software program with superior options to match its probably upgraded digicam {hardware}.

Regardless of Apple’s curiosity, Lux Optics’ co-founders, Ben Sandofsky and Sebastiaan de With concluded that future updates to Halide may enhance the corporate’s valuation and ended the acquisition talks. In accordance with the lawsuit between the co-founders, Sandofsky began investigating de With for the alleged misuse of firm funds shortly after the talks with Apple ended. Afterwards, de With was fired from Lux Optics and later joined Apple’s design team. Whereas Halide could stay third-party software program for iPhones and iPads, customers can nonetheless look ahead to some software program enhancements to the built-in digicam app, since that is reportedly considered one of Apple’s priorities.