Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Mobile

Adobe Mulling Lightroom for iPad?

By
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Adobe took its dispute with Apple over creating software for the iPhone and the iPad to a new level yesterday, moving into a very public arena with a print and online advertising campaign apparently intended to shame Apple for disallowing third-party middleware platforms on iPhone OS 4. Now, long-time Adobe Photoshop product manager John Nack says he’s been asked to lead the development of all-new Adobe imaging applications for tablet computing platforms…but in a blog post he expresses considerable doubt whether those applications have any future on the iPad.

“In many ways, the iPad is the computer I’ve been waiting for my whole life,” Nack wrote. “I want to build the most amazing iPad imaging apps the world has ever seen. But will I be allowed to do so? And who decides?”

Recommended Videos

Nack’s comments are his own and, unlike Adobe founders’ new open letter on Apple and Flash, do not represent Adobe corporate policy. Instead of focusing on the middleware clause in the iPhone OS 4 licensing agreement, Nack instead ponders Apple’s famously opaque and arbitrary policies for accepting and rejecting applications for its App Store: would Apple let an Adobe Lightroom application for iPad go on sale? Nack notes that Apple refuses to carry Lightroom in its Apple retail stores, but that’s OK because Adobe can market the application through other retail channels. But with the App Store, there is only one retail channel. If Adobe were to create a brand new imaging program for the iPad that used interface elements in new ways (Nack notes “‘groundbreaking’ almost inherently means ‘inconsistent with what’s come before,'”) Apple might reject it for failing to follow interface conventions, or decide the program duplicates functionality of existing Apple programs (say, an iPad version of iPhoto). Or Apple might reject it for no apparent or consistent reason at all, as it has done with innumerable iPhone applications over the last two years.

Related

The issues highlighted by Nack are similar to ones facing iPhone and iPad developers around the world: do they dare sink significant money, time, and resources into developing an application for the iPhone or iPad if there’s even an outside chance Apple will just say “no, thank you.” That decision has never been easy, and now that Apple is restricting iPhone/iPad development to Apple-native tools, it’s not as if a great deal of the work that goes into an iPhone or iPad application can necessarily be leveraged elsewhere.

Some are interpreting Nack’s blog entry as an announcement that Adobe is developing a version of Lightroom for iPad; however, from the tone, it seems clear Adobe is considering a version of Lightroom for Android-based tablet devices.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Geoff Duncan
Geoff Duncan
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…
Best Apple deals: Save on AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad, MacBook
Apple MacBook Air M1 open, on a table.

Apple has been a big player in the tech space for a long time, and it has pioneered some of the technology we use today, such as best wireless earbuds and the best smartwatches. If that wasn't enough, it even makes some of the best best laptops and best tablets on the market, so pretty much whatever tech you're looking for, Apple has an excellent version of it. Not only that, but Apple's ecosystem is also easily one of the best available, with only Samsung really competing in that space, and if you're already in the Apple ecosystem, then it makes sense to continue buying stuff from Apple.

Of course, Apple tech can be quite pricey, which is why we've gone out and searched through various big retailers to find you some of the best deals we can find. That includes everything from the MacBook to the AirTag, so hopefully, you can find the perfect deal that fits your needs and budget.
Apple AirTag (4-Pack) -- $80, was $99

Read more
The best tablets in 2024: top 11 tablets you can buy now
Disney+ app on the iPad Air 5.

As much as we love having the best smartphones in our pockets, there are times when those small screens don't cut it and we just need a larger display. That's when you turn to a tablet, which is great for being productive on the go and can be a awesome way to unwind and relax too. While the tablet market really took off after the iPad, it has grown to be quite diverse with a huge variety of products — from great budget options to powerhouses for professionals.

We've tried out a lot of tablets here at Digital Trends, from the workhorses for pros to tablets that are made for kids and even seniors -- there's a tablet for every person and every budget. For most people, though, we think Apple's iPad Air is the best overall tablet — especially if you're already invested in the Apple ecosystem. But if you're not an Apple user, that's fine too; there are plenty of other great options that you'll find in this roundup.

Read more
How to find your phone number on iPhone or Android
Rebtel Calling

If you're here, you've likely just had this experience; needing to enter your digits for an account of some sort, you realize you don't remember your own phone number. As you don’t call your own phone number very often, this isn't an extremely uncommon scenario. And it gets even worse if you frequently use a second phone number alongside your main one. It's still embarrassing enough, however, to not want to ask your partner or buddy, "Hey, what's my phone number?"

Luckily, the ability to locate phone number data comes directly on your phone, so checking your friend's address book won't be necessary. Whether you’re using an iOS or Android device, you can quickly locate your own number — as well as your IMEI number — on your phone if you know where to look. Just grab your phone, find the appropriate section below, and we'll show you how to do it.
How to find your phone number on iPhone

Read more