Apple has confirmed through its official website that the pro photo editing app Aperture will be pulled from the Mac App Store this spring, with the launch of its new Photos app. This will make Aperture inaccessible for new users, while old users will still be able to download and use the app from their online purchase records.
Apple had announced its plans to pull the plug on the popular Aperture and iPhoto apps in June 2014. While not clearly specifying the exact time for discontinuation, they had made it clear that their focus lies entirely with the new Photos app and there would be "no new development of Aperture," according to EnGadget.
Along with the recent deployment of Mac OS X version 10.10.3 to developers, Apple also gave the world its first look at the Photos app, rolling out preview copies of the software ahead of its release to many websites.
Reviews suggest that the expected functionality of the Photos app will stand midway between the pro-level Aperture and the consumer-oriented iPhoto.
While iPhoto users will end up with more features, professionals and photo editing enthusiasts are likely to be disappointed to find tools like brushable adjustments, custom metadata and loupe not included in the Photos app, as per a MacRumors report.
Apple is seen as a company that actively ditches older software as newer versions come to light. The Photos app integrates with the iCloud Photo Library and is rumored to get additional features through updates in the coming months.