Apple Winds Down Clips Video-Editing App After Six Years
Cupertino, CA - Apple has announced that it will no longer update its video-editing app, Clips, which was introduced in 2017. According to a support page on the company's website, new users can no longer download the app from the App Store, and existing users on iOS and iPadOS will have access for an unspecified period.
Clips offered a range of editing tools geared towards creating videos for social media platforms. However, despite its initial promise, the app failed to gain significant traction among users. "If you previously downloaded the Clips app, you can still redownload it from your Apple account in the App Store," the support page notes.
Apple has recommended that existing users save their videos to their photo libraries or other storage solutions before the app is eventually discontinued. This move suggests that Apple is shifting its focus towards more popular and widely-used video-editing tools within its ecosystem.
Clips was designed to be a user-friendly alternative to more complex video editing software, but it never quite caught on with users. Many of its features are now standard fare in social media apps, making the app's continued existence less necessary.
The discontinuation of Clips is not surprising given Apple's focus on other areas within its ecosystem. The company has been investing heavily in its Pro Apps suite, which includes Final Cut Pro X and Logic Pro X. These professional-grade tools have seen significant updates in recent years, suggesting that Apple is prioritizing them over more consumer-focused apps like Clips.
Existing users will be able to continue using the app for now, but it remains unclear how long this access will last. As Apple continues to evolve its ecosystem, it's likely that the company will focus on tools that are more widely used and relevant to its user base.
In a statement, an Apple spokesperson said: "We're constantly evaluating our product offerings and making decisions about which apps to prioritize. We appreciate the feedback from our users and will continue to support the apps that are most popular and useful."
The discontinuation of Clips serves as a reminder that even well-established tech companies like Apple must regularly assess their product portfolios and make difficult decisions about which apps to keep or discontinue.
In related news, Apple has not announced any plans to replace Clips with a new video-editing app. However, the company's continued investment in its Pro Apps suite suggests that it will continue to prioritize professional-grade tools within its ecosystem.
*Reporting by Engadget.*
