Apple is making significant strides to enhance its device services by investing heavily in satellite communications and acquiring an image editing app company.

According to a regulatory filing on Monday, Apple has agreed to invest $1.5 billion in Globalstar, a U.S.-based satellite communications provider. Globalstar offers satellite-based communication services to customers in areas with limited network access. Apple has been partnering with Globalstar since 2022 to provide emergency messaging via satellite for iPhone users in remote areas, initially limited to the United States and Canada. With the latest iOS 18 update, this functionality has been expanded to include standard text messages and emojis.

As part of the deal, Apple will acquire a 20% stake in Globalstar for $400 million and invest an additional $1.1 billion in cash. Globalstar has committed to allocating 85% of its network capacity to Apple.

In another move to bolster its offerings, Apple has acquired Pixelmator, a renowned developer of image editing software. Pixelmator announced on its blog that the team will be joining Apple. Based in Lithuania, Pixelmator is known for its competitive image editing software, such as Pixelmator Pro, which directly rivals Adobe Photoshop. The company has a strong focus on developing image editing apps specifically for Apple devices, including iPhones and Macs. In 2018, Pixelmator Pro was recognized as Apple's "Mac App of the Year" for its innovative features powered by artificial intelligence, such as the ability to remove unwanted objects from photos and automatically adjust colors.

Apple has recently introduced its first version of "Apple Intelligence," which includes a "Clean Up" feature that uses AI to remove people or objects from photos. This acquisition aligns with Apple's ongoing efforts to enhance its image editing capabilities.

Unlike other tech giants that frequently engage in large-scale acquisitions, Apple has traditionally preferred smaller acquisitions of companies with products or talent that can be integrated into its existing ecosystem. Previous examples include Dark Sky, a weather app acquired in 2020 and integrated into Apple's native Weather app, and Workflow, an automation app acquired in 2017 that served as a foundation for Siri Shortcuts.

These strategic investments demonstrate Apple's commitment to expanding its product offerings and providing a more seamless user experience across its devices.

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