Vic Gundotra says Nik's 'high-end tools and plugins' will survive. Snapseed? Maybe not.

[ ](http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/21/vic-gundotra-says-niks-high-end-tools-will-survive/)

After Google effectively killed [Sparrow's](http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/20/google-aquires-sparrow-the-apple-focused-email-app-maker/) apps when it purchased the company (they're still available and supported, but don't expect much future development) there was some worry about the future of [Nik Software](http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/17/google-buys-snapseed-developer-nik-software/). Well, Vic Gundotra took to Google+ to salve some of those fears.

> Earlier this week I proudly welcomed +Nik Software to Google. They've been making pictures more awesome for 17 years, and we're excited to bring Nik's expertise to the entire Google+ community!
>
> I also want to make something clear: we're going to continue offering and improving Nik's high-end tools and plug-ins.
>
> Professionals across the globe use Nik to create the perfect moment in their photographs (e.g., [http://goo.gl/aDtkO](http://goo.gl/aDtkO)), and we care deeply about their artistry.

There is one bothersome caveat in that quote: "high-end." Gundotra may be promising a future for Capture NX and Efex Pro, but it's clear that the popular [Snapseed](http://www.engadget.com/tag/snapseed) doesn't fit that description. Now, he has not expressly announced the death of the [Instagram](http://www.engadget.com/tag/instagram) competitor, but it seems to us that the writing is on the wall. The Android camera app may already have a set of [friendly filters](http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/18/ice-cream-sandwich-revamps-android-camera-and-gallery-features/), but it lacks the simplified sharing and marketing buzz of [Facebook's recent acquisition](http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/06/facebook-completes-acquisition-of-instagram/). Don't be surprised if the Snapseed team simply gets folded into Google+ or Android while its creation slowly withers and dies.

Filed under: [Cameras](http://www.engadget.com/category/cameras/), [Software](http://www.engadget.com/category/software/)

[Vic Gundotra says Nik's 'high-end tools and plugins' will survive. Snapseed? Maybe not.](http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/21/vic-gundotra-says-niks-high-end-tools-will-survive/) originally appeared on [Engadget](http://www.engadget.com) on Fri, 21 Sep 2012 16:48:00 EDT. Please see our [terms for use of feeds](http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).

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