Apple to Dump Aperture Photo Software After OS X Yosemite Release

Development behind Aperture, Apple Inc.’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) professional postured photo editing and management software, is coming to an end.

According to a report by TechCrunch, the 9-year-old photo editing program, which first launched in 2005, will be succeeded by the OS X Yosemite’s Photos app.

While Photos is primarily intended to replace iPhoto, the new app will also integrate some of the more advanced features found in Aperture.

“When Photos for OS X ships next year, users will be able to migrate their existing Aperture libraries to Photos for OS X,” an Apple spokesperson told TechCrunch.

A compatibility update will be available when OS X Yosemite is released, allowing Aperture users that don’t want to transition to Photos to continue using the software. But after that update, development behind Aperture will cease.

For some time after its 2005 release, Aperture was the choice photo editing and management software for photographers on OS X. But sparse updates from Apple and increased adoption of Adobe Systems Inc.’s (NASDAQ:ADBE) Photoshop Lightroom software on OS X eroded its overall market share over time.

Apple is reportedly working on transitional tools for Aperture users looking to jump ship to Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, which requires a $9.99 monthly subscription through the Adobe Creative Cloud service, but also includes access to Adobe Photoshop.

While Apple is ceasing development behind Aperture, development of other pro apps such sas Final cut Pro and Logic will continue as usual, according to The Loop.

OS X Yosemite is expected to launch sometime in Fall 2014.