Apple has added a well-known figure from the iPhone photography world to its ranks. Sebastiaan de With, the co-founder of Lux and creator of the popular pro camera app Halide, has officially joined Apple’s Design Team, marking a notable return to the company.
A Familiar Face Returns to Apple
De With is no stranger to Apple. Earlier in his career, he worked on Apple services including iCloud, MobileMe, and Find My. Now, he returns in a design-focused role, where his influence may help shape future Apple software experiences. He confirmed the move publicly, expressing excitement about working with what he called “the very best team in the world” on Apple’s products.
This move has quickly gained attention within the Apple community. De With is widely respected for his design-driven approach and deep understanding of mobile photography. His apps, including Halide, Kino, and Spectre, are praised for blending technical control with clean, thoughtful interfaces.
Halide Isn’t Going Anywhere
Despite concerns from users, Lux confirmed that Halide will continue development without interruption. The company recently launched a public preview of Halide Mark III, and feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Lux co-founder Ben Sandofsky emphasized that the team remains fully committed to the app’s future.
For long-time Halide users, this reassurance matters. De With built and led Halide for nearly a decade, and Lux stated that the company has no plans to shut down or sell the app. Instead, Halide will continue as an independent product while its co-founder takes on a new role at Apple.
What This Means for Apple’s Camera Experience
De With’s arrival fuels speculation about potential improvements to Apple’s own Camera app. While Apple has not shared details, many observers hope his design sensibilities will influence future camera features and workflows. His impact may not be immediate, but experts expect his contributions to surface gradually across upcoming iOS updates.
Overall, Apple’s decision highlights its continued interest in bringing respected creators into its design culture. At the same time, Halide fans can rest easy. The app remains in active development, even as one of its creators steps into a new chapter at Apple.
