As we quickly approach the end of 2009 there is still no sight of anything from Apple relating to Aperture 3. This, and the fact that Adobe Lightroom 3 Beta is already out there in the wild and being tested by the same community targeted by Apple suggests either that Apple is preparing a huge advance in its DAM software or it is preparing to let it sink slowly beneath the waves.
Evidence supporting the first option is limited. The advent of Snow Leopard suggested that the benefits of the underlying 64 bit architecture improvements alone could improve the performance of Aperture significantly on suitable machines.
The arguments in favour of Aperture being left to wither on the vine includes the lack of a faster response to new DSLR camera models coming out suggests that Apple is losing some interest in keeping all its pro photographer users happy. There is little to no Aperture feedback from Apple in any forum and some Aperture forums have simply disappeared from view.
In short, we are in a black hole about Aperture 3. I am not about to jump ship to Lightroom yet but am having a look at what Lightroom version 3 beta offers. I suspect that if Apple does not provide some positive information about Aperture 3, in lieu of the production of an actual new version, within the next 3 months their market share may drop to 3% of total market share and possibly 6% of the mac only market share.
Aperture however still remains a tremendous application that facilitates roundtrips into and out of Photoshop. It happily manages all my image resources and provides a secure backup process for peace of mind. Its wonderful non-destructive processing gives me freedom to experiment in complete safety. Now, if it could be a lot speedier, have more local correction options, gradient filter etc.
