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technology12h ago
Apple Wanted to Buy Halide to Boost iPhone 18 Pro's Camera App—Now There's a Lawsuit
Macrumors.com and 1 more
- Apple explored acquiring Lux Optics (Halide/Kino/Spectre) last summer to upgrade the iPhone 18 Pro camera software, but the talks ended without a deal.
- Following the acquisition talks, Apple invited Lux co-founder Sebastian de With to join Apple's design team in January, signaling a shift toward in-house camera software expertise.
- A California lawsuit alleges Lux funds were misused and confidential material plus source code were shared with Apple after de With joined Apple’s design team.
- Apple is not named as a defendant in the suit, and no wrongdoing is alleged against the company in connection with Lux’s internal finances or IP.
- The dispute centers on Lux’s finances and IP amid ongoing acquisition discussions, with concerns about financial irregularities and access to records cited in the suit.
- The iPhone 18 Pro camera upgrade is described as requiring features that would rival professional-grade cameras, prompting a push to enhance the built-in Camera app.
- Lux Optics’ Halide, Kino, and Spectre were among the apps considered in the acquisition discussions, highlighting Lux’s role in pro-grade iPhone photography tooling.
- Sebastian de With’s involvement with Lux preceded his return to Apple, suggesting a complex personal and corporate dynamic around the iPhone 18 Pro software upgrade.
- The broader storyline portrays Apple’s effort to strengthen its built-in camera app with in-house software expertise as a top company priority.
- Publicly, Apple is not accused of wrongdoing, even as the legal dispute over Lux’s finances and IP unfolds alongside acquisition talks.
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