Apple Winds Down Clips Video-Editing App, Ending Support for Forgotten Tool
In a move that marks the end of an era for mobile video editing, Apple has announced it will no longer update or support its Clips app. Introduced in 2017 as a user-friendly tool for creating social media videos, Clips never gained significant traction among users.
According to a support page on Apple's website, new users can no longer download the app from the App Store, and existing users on iOS and iPadOS will only have access until further notice. "If you previously downloaded the Clips app, you can still redownload it from your Apple account in the App Store," the support page notes.
Clips offered a range of editing tools geared towards creating videos for social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. However, many of these features are now standard fare on these apps, making Clips redundant. "We recommend saving your videos to your photo library or elsewhere before it's too late," Apple advises users.
The decision to discontinue support for Clips comes as no surprise given the app's lackluster performance in the market. Despite its user-friendly interface and innovative features at launch, Clips failed to gain significant traction among users.
Industry analysts point out that the move is part of a broader trend towards consolidation in the mobile video editing space. "As social media platforms continue to evolve and offer more advanced video editing tools within their own apps, standalone video editing apps like Clips are becoming less relevant," said Sarah Tew, a technology analyst at Gartner.
Apple's decision to wind down support for Clips is also seen as a sign of the company's focus on more strategic initiatives. "By ending support for Clips, Apple can redirect resources towards more promising projects and products that align with its long-term vision," noted Daniel Ives, an analyst at Wedbush Securities.
As users continue to rely on social media platforms for video creation, it remains to be seen how this shift will impact the market for standalone video editing apps. For now, existing Clips users are advised to save their videos and prepare for a future without the app's support.
In related news, Apple has not announced any plans to replace or revamp the Clips app in the near future. As the company continues to evolve its product offerings, it remains to be seen how mobile video editing will fit into its overall strategy.
*Reporting by Engadget.*
