iMovie
Latest
iLife, iWork apps to sell individually in Mac App Store
It seems that Apple will sell its iWork and iLife apps individually through the forthcoming Mac App Store. Some keen-eyed observers noticed hints during this week's demonstration, ElectricPig reports. During the demo, you could clearly see GarageBand, iMovie and iPhoto icons among the available apps. Indeed, the screenshot on the official Lion information page shows the same thing. It's impossible to see what the cost will be (we *think* it says $14.95), but the idea is interesting. Many users buy the bundle for one or two apps only (iMove and iPhoto, but not GarageBand for instance). An a la carte offering would prevent those shoppers from paying for an app(s) that they won't use. The Mac App Store will premiere for Snow Leopard users in about 90 days. We'll know for sure by then. [Via MacNN]
iMovie '11 features audio editing overhaul, movie trailer creation
Steve Jobs said that the top feature request for iMovie was an overhaul of the audio editing. This is the highlight of the just-announced iMovie as part of iLife '11, with a new audio editing panel with the ability to add effects. Other features include: One-step effects with the ability to add several complex effects in one step. A people finder to isolate clips with certain people in it. This uses the face-detecting technology currently found in iPhoto. News and sports themes The ability to construct movie trailers which has some fantastic effects, logo and the ability to showcase your family and friends in your latest action-packed flick.
Apple announces iLife '11, $49 upgrade or free with every new Mac, available today
There you have it. Shockingly enough, iMovie, iPhoto, and GarageBand have all been modernized sufficiently to merit having their names appended with '11. iPhoto '11 is taking the early demo lead in the live event, with hot new slideshow themes. Gee, Steve, you're building it up nice and slow, huh? There are added Facebook and email sharing enhancements and new full screen modes that make it look a lot like ... an iPad app. %Gallery-105511% iMovie '11 will freshen up the audio editing options (finally!) and add "one step effects," a People Finder that identifies individuals in movie clips, and an apparently effortless movie trailer maker. Intriguing. The audio tweaks include per-segment sound levels adjustments as well as easy fade sliders, there are also additional new audio effects for people to play around with. 24fps video editing and output is now supported, allowing you to export more film-like trailers using the templates thrown into this new software. Good news on the upload front too, as direct sharing to Facebook and Vimeo has also been added.%Gallery-105516% Apple is adding FlexTime, Groove Matching, more guitar and amp effects, new piano and guitar lessons, and finally a "How Did I Play" feature to GarageBand '11. Groove Matching can be summarized with a quote from the Cupertino crew's Xander Soren: "it's like an automatic spellchecker for bad rhythm." As to "How Did I Play," that's a mixture of post-play analysis and a Rock Band-like live note monitor, which highlights in green the notes you strike correctly or in red the ones you miss. It works with both the guitar and piano.%Gallery-105523% iLife '11 is available today, as a free extra on new Macs or as a $49 upgrade on differently new Apple machines. Full press release is now embedded after the break.
Apple.com reveals iLife upgrade, reaffirms MacBook Air refresh
Ah, it's good to see Apple can leak its announcements ahead of time just like the rest of the world. Overzealous forum mods on Apple's own site have been setting up Discussions sections for products to be announced at today's Back to the Mac event a little early, which has inevitably been picked up by some sleuthing souls over in Poland. A little bit of URL manipulation has revealed separate forums for a new iMovie '11, iPhoto '11, and GarageBand '11, all three of which are core components of the iLife suite, leading us to go ahead and presume that Steve Jobs will be discussing an iLife '11 later today. There's also confirmation of the new MacBook Air with an "MBA (Need official name)" forum emerging, alongside a mysterious "Reserved 20 10" destination. [Thanks, MM]
Rumor: iLife '11 to be 64-bit, iOS compatible
iLife, the software suite that is included on every Mac and is made up of iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, iWeb, and iDVD, hasn't been updated to a new version since January, 2009. That, of course, is making many of us in the Apple world curious about when the next version of the suite will appear on the market. Many Mac pundits believe the next edition will be iLife '11, and we've already seen several of the rumored release dates fly past without sign of the new iLife. Now some sharp-eyed Apple fans have noticed that there's a book listed on the German Amazon site with the title "iLife '11: Digital pictures, movies, music and more" and a release date of December, 2010. The translated description notes that the suite is entirely 64-bit, and that iPhoto will receive integration with social networking. iWeb has been "rewritten" from the ground up, and iDVD is no longer included with the suite. There's mention of a "new application," but no word on what the function or name of the new member of the suite will be. The red banner on the cover mockup at left reads "iPhoto, iMovie and more, with Apps for Mac, iPhone 4, iPod and iPad," which implies that iOS versions of the applications will be available as well. At this time, of course, iMovie is available for iOS, and it would not be much of a stretch to assume that iOS-compatible versions of the other applications could be developed. After all, Apple made an iPad version of iWork available on day one. The book is written by Uwe Nerger, who has no other published titles to his name. That brings up the question how an unpublished author has been given access to a suite of applications that many published authors of Apple tomes have not seen. Take this rumor with a fist-sized grain of salt. [via AppleInsider]
iMovie updated to 1.1, requires iOS 4.1
Apple's official iMovie app for iPhone has been updated to version 1.1. The new update requires iOS 4.1 and is compatible with the new iPod touch. It also adds the ability to split up video clips, automatically loop music for a longer videos and updated Photos browser. There are a few other upgrades to help performance and reliability, and a new tips and indicators to help you use the app. High Dynamic Range photography is new in iOS 4.1, but since HDR requires multiple exposures of a still picture, there's nothing in the new iMovie app to similarly improve your videos. Current users can upgrade right now via the App Store. iMovie for iOS can be purchased for US$4.99. Enjoy the update!
App review: 720tube
Apple loves to tout the HD video recording and editing capabilities of its new iPhone 4. Shoot.Edit.Share, says the slogan. Unfortunately, something nasty happens between the shooting and YouTube sharing: compression. Apple squashes your magical 720p memory into a rather glum looking 360p video just as soon as you select "Send to YouTube." And there's no easy way around it. That is, until we stumbled upon a little app called 720tube from Drakfyre's Software.
Installing iMovie HD 6 without iLife '08
When iLife '08 and '09 came out, I was pretty happy about all of the new bells and whistles -- except for iMovie, that is. As much as I wanted to like the completely revamped iMovie, to me it was as tasty as "New Coke" when compared to Coca-Cola Classic. When Apple released iLife '08, it provided a free download (which is no longer available, so I hope that you saved it) of iMovie HD 6, and it could live alongside of iMovie '08 harmoniously. However, let's say that you've just completed a fresh install of Mac OS X, and you want to install both iMovie HD 6 and the latest version of iLife, iLife '09. That's not the most straightforward of tasks. First, you'll have to install iLife '08, because the Apple-provided, free download of iMovie HD 6 does a check to see if you have iLife '08 installed; if you don't have it, you can't proceed. Your next step is to install iMovie HD 6 and then install iLife '09. With this little tip, you can save 10 minutes of your life and install iMovie HD 6 without iLife '08. First, mount the .dmg file of the iMovie HD 6 download that Apple provided (I hope you kept it). After it's mounted, right-click on the installation package and select "show package contents." In the "Contents" folder, double-click on this file: "Archive.pax.gz." This archive will extract its contents to a folder named "Archive," which you'll need to locate. Inside the Archive folder, you'll find a folder named "Applications," and living in this Applications folder, you'll find the "iMovie HD" app. Just drag it over to your Applications folder, and you're all set. Readers, tell us what you think. Did it take you a while to fully embrace the '08 and '09 versions of iMovie, or do you still wholeheartedly prefer iMovie HD 6?
Ducati creates a short film with the iPhone 4
I have to eat my words -- despite my belief before launch that an iPhone 4 wouldn't be hard to find without a preorder, I'm still waiting to get the chance to buy one. But I got to play with another one last night (that screen!), and just like every other time I've had a chance to use it, I've been very impressed by the back camera. Both stills and HD video look really amazing when taken with that thing. Here's another example: the Ducati motorcycle team filmed the entire commercial above on eight different iPhone 4s over a period of four days -- watching it in HD shows off just what this camera is capable of. They did use the Owle Bubo, which explains some of the better shots a little bit. And you can also see that slight shudder so common to low-end HD cameras, especially when the camera pans quickly or tries to capture fast motion. But especially without color correction, the images still look terrific for a camera on your phone. The audio is great as well, but I'm not convinced they did that with only a phone. The final video was edited together in Adobe Premiere, just because "there were enough unknowns" without trying to use iMovie on iPhone for the first time. Update: Looks like it's part of a contest -- if you've ever wanted to try and make a film and you've got an iPhone 4, get to it! Thanks to Zenas and Jeff for sending this one in.
iMovie for iPhone gets a cheeky hack for jailbroken 3GS, runs well-oiled
Not feeling hot about the trouble-prone iPhone 4, but still tempted by its optional iMovie app? Now you have a choice! Turns out to run said app on other devices (including iPod touch, supposedly) running iOS 3.0 and above, all you need are a jailbroken iOS device, iMovie for iPhone from the App Store, and two quick edits in the app's info.plist file -- change minimum system version to "3.0.0" and front-facing-camera to "false." Sounds easy enough, although we've yet to see the hacked app actually running on devices other than the 3GS demoed in the video after the break. And sorry, Redmond Pie's already confirmed that this sucker doesn't work on the iPad... yet.
Video shot and edited entirely on an iPhone 4
It had to happen eventually. Here's the first (that we know of) movie shot and edited entirely on an iPhone 4. Two years ago we saw a music video that was shot with a jailbroken iPhone and Cycorder. Of course, the iPhone 4 ups the ante with HD video and iMovie for iPhone. Director Michael Koerbel of Makek Pictures notes that the short took 48 hours to create from start to finish. He's also promised to release a full behind-the-scenes video that will document its production. And just like that, the iPhone becomes a nice little tool for filmmakers, amateur and pro alike. It's not going to replace real cameras, of course, but you can use it to make something nice, as Koerbel has demonstrated.
YouTube uploads from iPhone 4 are downsized
Updated 5:50pm: Commenters are right, emailing the video from your iPhone has the same size restriction. The original version of this post had the correct info, but an editing error mixed up the email limitation. Yesterday when we posted that iMovie for iPhone 4 was available on the App Store, we mentioned an important limitation on the resolution of the videos you can share with the iPhone. An Apple support document specifies that while iMovie can export a full 720p HD video if you send the video via email or import it back to iPhoto, movies uploaded from YouTube, MMS or MobileMe Gallery will be downsized to a maximum resolution of 568x320. Since then, users like Chris Pirillo have started using the app and have confirmed the restriction. Chris asked us if there are any iPhone-only workarounds that don't require transferring the video off to your Mac or PC. Unfortunately, it looks like the only way you will be able to share a full 720p HD version of iMovie videos is to transfer the file to your computer before uploading it to YouTube or any other sharing service from there. Ironically, while a second support document mentions this limitation is in place to improve upload performance, you are still restricted to 568x320 even when you're connected to WiFi -- perhaps the very same WiFi connection you will now use to upload the video from your computer. Chris also mentioned he and other users are reporting issues logging into YouTube with both YouTube and Google credentials on a number of iOS devices. We're not sure why this issue is happening, but a few people on the Mac Rumors forums are suggesting that you make sure your Google credentials are associated with your YouTube login. You may also want to verify that your email address is confirmed in the email options to possibly eliminate the problem.
Fixing iPhone portrait videos with iMovie
The iPhone 3GS was the first model to let users shoot video, and the iPhone 4 will even shoot in HD (720p). It's so convenient and easy that most people whip them out to shoot a few seconds of the ball game, a fun day at the park or what have you. In the thrill of an artistic moment, you might not always consider how the iPhone is held, and you realize later you shot the whole thing in portrait orientation, at odds with most of the video-playing world. Oops. You can pop your clip into iMovie and it can widen to fill the screen's aspect, making your subject look like Shrek. Fortunately the fix is easy, and there are two methods. The first involves iMovie '09. Once your movie is assembled, it's time to export. From the Export menu, select Export Movie. A new sheet appears. Select HD (1280x720). Yes, you'll get the black 'pillarbox' bands on either side of your movie, but it's better than than the disfigured heads. The second method requires QuickTime Pro (QTP), though it's basically the same process. Open your video with QTP and again, export as HD. Shooting in landscape orientation generally requires less steps to get a no-fuss video, but you're not in deep trouble if you shoot in portrait either.
iMovie for iPhone 4 is now available
iMovie for iPhone 4 arrived on the App Store tonight, just hours before the official 7:00am launch of the iPhone 4. As promised during the WWDC keynote, the iMovie app brings the ability to edit and share videos directly to the iPhone. From transitions to titles, to adding background music to your clips, iMovie promises to offer powerful editing features that you don't typically find on a mobile device. Along with the release of the app, Apple has posted a list of frequently asked questions, as well as instructions for exporting videos from iMovie. Curiously, while the instructions detail how to export your videos in full HD (at a resolution of 720p), the summary at the top of the page suggests that your video will be scaled down to 568x320 if uploaded to YouTube, MobileMe, or sent via e-mail from the phone. A third support document posted this evening further confirms this to be the case. Since I'm not one of the lucky customers who already have their iPhone 4 in hand, I can't directly test this, but it seems that Apple has spelled it out pretty clearly in their support pages. While this won't be a deal breaker for everyone, I'm sure that many HD aficionados out there will be longing for the ability to directly upload HD video to YouTube from their phones. As it stands now, you would have to sync the video to your computer, and then upload it from there for maximum quality. It is worth noting, however, that this limitation only applies to using the sharing functionality in the Camera Roll on your iPhone; any third-party apps that can upload video should be able to take advantage of the full resolution copy. So aside from the resizing, iMovie for iPhone 4 looks promising. And at US$4.99, it is an inexpensive way to extend the video capabilities of your phone, allowing you to quickly create and share movies of friends, family, or special events while on the go. If you're picking up a new iPhone tomorrow, this is definitely something to check out.
iMovie hits iTunes App Store, only for iPhone 4 (update)
You may not have an iPhone 4 yet -- unless you lucked out on delivery, you're probably still waiting in line -- but if you did receive Cupertino's latest opinion polarizing handset, you might have noticed it doesn't come with a tool to edit all the 720p footage of jealous friends that you just shot. Thankfully that can be remedied with a portrait of President Lincoln, as iMovie for iPhone just went live -- head on over to the App Store and drop your $4.99. Update: Oddly enough, we're not actually seeing iMovie in the App Store on our iPhone 4 -- only in the desktop client. [Thanks, Joel]
Switched On: An 'i' for imaging
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology. When the original iPhone was first launched, its camera ranked among its least competitive features. While the face of Apple's product broke ground for how it reacted to touch, its eye into the world was wanting. It could capture only two megapixels, lacked autofocus, a flash, or digital zoom, and had no support for video capture. It seemed as though Apple had somehow felt obliged to put in a camera, a feature the company would leave off the iPod touch and iPad. The 3GS bumped the resolution to three megapixels and added in video capture that even included trimming capabilities, but Apple's heart still didn't seem very into the iPhone as a digital imaging device. That's changed with iPhone 4. While its five-megapixel camera lags behind the eight-megapixel cameras on devices such as the Droid Incredible and HTC EVO 4G in terms of raw resolution, and it includes just one LED flash bulb as opposed to two on the EVO 4G, Apple's inclusion of a backlit sensor has aided the product's low-light capture, and the included software makes use of the cameras in innovative ways.
Apple posts WWDC 2010 keynote stream
Apple has posted the stream of yesterday's WWDC keynote by Steve Jobs. During the keynote, Jobs unveiled iPhone 4 along with many new features of iOS 4, including the FaceTime video conferencing feature. Jobs also announced the iMovie app for iPhone and iBooks with PDF support. When Jobs was showing off the iPhone 4's new Retina display, there were some technical issues due to the number of people in the hall using mobile Wi-Fi hotspots. It was a slightly embarrassing -- and awkward -- moment for Jobs, but as you can see from the keynote stream, no editing of said moment was done, and you can replay the awkwardness in all its glory. As of the time of this writing, the keynote is not yet available in the Apple Keynotes Podcast series on iTunes, but it should be added shortly. Update: It's there now.
WWDC 2010: Apple announces iMovie for iPhone 4
Today at WWDC, during the keynote address, one of the things Steve dropped upon us is the new camera in iPhone 4: Yeah, the 3G S did video, but the new camera does "full HD," at a sparkly 720p and 30fps. This means that little handheld video camera that's been on my Christmas list the last three years is now gone. Why get one when my new iPhone will do it? So you fill your phone full of video. What to do with it? If it was your Mac, you'd be flexing your iMovie muscles, wouldn't you? Now you can do the same on your iPhone: Steve showed some demos of iMovie for iPhone today, including one-click sharing, and the tap to focus that works in photos. Even the new LED flash gets in on it: You can leave it on the whole time you're shooting. Export options are 360p, 540p, and the original 720p resolution. And of course, the app also lets you run transitions, titles, and anything else the full version of iMovie will let you do. There are even themes and theme music to choose from -- Apple's video engineer says it's the best way to edit video on a mobile device he's ever seen. So now you can record beautiful video, edit down to the good bits, and email that video off to any of the tubes. As long as it goes through the app review process, that is -- according to Steve, "You'll be able to buy this for $4.99 ... if we approve it." Funny. When it appears on the App Store, we'll let you know.
iPhone 4 does 720p HD video, iMovie
A backside-illuminated 5 megapixel sensor is about to grace the new iPhone's rear, equipped with an LED flash and 720p / 30fps video recording. Tap to focus while recording video will also be rolled out in the iPhone Quattro, and Steve Jobs is keen to impress on us all that although the megapixel count has grown, the quality of images has apparently improved. That's what they all say. iMovie for iPhone will add more sophisticated video editing options, but they won't come for free -- a $4.99 tithe will be required. This is moving things along, to be sure, but why is the iPhone 4's upper storage limit still stuck at 32GB? A more generous apportionment of memory would've gone very nicely indeed with that HD video mode.%Gallery-94584% Check out more from WWDC 2010 in our liveblog!
Making vacation videos on your iPad with ReelDirector 3.0
If you're still on vacation and reading this on your iPad, it's time to get moving on editing those trip videos you've been shooting over the last four days. You know, all that video of the kids at the beach that you took with your AVCHD camcorder and iPhone. What? You don't have your Mac with you? No problem -- just install the new Nexvio ReelDirector 3.0 (US$7.99) app on your iPad and get to work. The updated version of ReelDirector is free to owners of previous editions and adds iPad compatibility to the mix. If you already own ReelDirector for iPhone, load it on your iPad as well at no extra cost. Nexvio added a demo project to help newbies get familiar with the app, and there are more powerful goodies. It's possible to pan, zoom, and rotate videos, mix videos of different resolutions and orientations into a single project, and add text overlays to any clip. Want to change the fonts for the title or subtitles? No problem. Nexvio has also removed limitations on the number of photos in a single movie project, so creating a fancy slide show of vacation photos is a piece of cake as well. ReelDirector 3.0 is the missing "iMovie for iPad," so if your summer trip plans include shooting a lot of video, edit your work on the go with ReelDirector on your iPad. A full review of ReelDirector 3.0 is forthcoming.
