According to AppleInsider, code sleuth Aaron (@aaronp613) discovered references to something called Apple Creator Studio in the iOS 26.2 beta 1 released this week. The discovery comes as Apple already offers Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro on iPad for $4.99 per month or $49 per year individually. References to iPad versions of Motion, Compressor, MainStage, and Pixelmator Pro have also been found in App Store IDs. Apple appears to be positioning itself against Adobe’s Creative Cloud, which bundles Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and over 20 other apps for $69.99 monthly. Services revenue has become crucial for Apple over the past decade, making a professional app bundle potentially lucrative. We could hear more about Apple Creator Studio before iOS 26.2’s public launch in December, or it might remain a mystery.
The Adobe Problem
Here’s the thing – competing with Adobe is no small task. They’ve spent decades building their Creative Cloud ecosystem, and professionals are deeply invested in their workflows. Apple‘s pro apps are excellent, but they’ve always existed in their own silos. A bundle makes sense, but can Apple really convince people to switch from the industry standard?
And let’s talk about that $69.99 Adobe price point. That’s steep, but professionals pay it because they need those tools to make money. Apple would need to price competitively while still making the bundle attractive. Would they include everything? Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Motion, Compressor, MainStage, and the Pixelmator apps? That could be compelling, but only if the price is right.
The Platform Question
Now here’s where it gets tricky. Apple’s pro apps have historically been Mac-only, but that’s changing fast. We’re seeing iPad versions popping up everywhere. But what about Windows? If Apple wants to seriously compete with Adobe, they’d need to go cross-platform. And that’s something Apple has been notoriously reluctant to do.
Basically, Apple faces the same dilemma they always do with services – how much do they prioritize their ecosystem versus reaching the broadest possible audience? The Affinity suite shows you can succeed with one-time purchases rather than subscriptions, and many creatives prefer that model. Can Apple convince people to pay monthly for apps they might only use occasionally?
The Pixelmator Wild Card
Remember when Apple bought Pixelmator in 2024? That acquisition suddenly makes a lot more sense if they’re building a creator bundle. Pixelmator Pro is fantastic software that directly competes with Photoshop in many areas. Combining that with Apple’s video and audio tools could create a pretty compelling package.
But here’s my skepticism – Apple isn’t exactly known for seamless software integration across different teams. Would these apps feel like a cohesive suite, or just a random collection thrown together? The difference between Adobe’s tightly integrated ecosystem and a loose bundle could make or break this offering.
We’ll Know Soon Enough
The iOS 26.2 beta discovery by Aaron gives us something concrete to watch. December isn’t that far away, and Apple has been known to drop surprises between major iOS releases. Or this could be one of those code references that goes nowhere – we’ve seen that happen before too.
I think the timing makes sense though. Apple’s services business needs new growth vectors, and creative professionals represent a lucrative market they’ve only partially tapped. A well-executed Creator Studio could be huge. But executed poorly? It could be another reminder of why Adobe still dominates this space.
