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On top of today's other software updates, Apple has also pushed updates for Aperture, iMovie, and iPhoto. The Aperture and iPhoto updates notably add support for OS X Mountain Lion, which was launched earlier today. In the case of iPhoto, this means that sharing options now include Messages and Twitter.
Apple has started announcing the 2012 slate of its annual summer camps for kids. The events in fact take place at Apple Stores, and include two 90-minute workshops in which children aged 8 to 12 learn how to make movies using iMovie on a Mac, paired with a song produced on GarageBand for the iPad. An optional Saturday morning event lets friends and family see the finished videos.
Continuing off a batch from yesterday, Apple has posted two more software updates. The most important of these is MacBook Pro (Retina) Trackpad Update 1.0, which copes with a launch-day glitch. Affected MacBooks will have problems with their trackpad not "consistently" responding to input, Apple writes. The file is only a 1.26MB download, but requires that a system be plugged in during the update process.
Apple has finally brought iPhoto to the iPad, while introducing updates to the existing iMovie, iWork and GarageBand apps. The apps, introduced alongside the new iPad, have been reworked to take advantage of the third-generation tablet's 2048x1536 'Retina Display', which quadruples the pixel density from the 1024x768 display of the original iPad and iPad 2.
Complementing the introduction of Find My Friends and AirPort Utility, Apple has launched two more iOS apps, plus updates to several existing titles. The first of the new apps is Cards, a previously announced program that lets users insert custom text and photos into 21 basic designs and have real-world greeting cards mailed to addresses around the world. This costs $3 when mailing within the US, or $5 when sending a card to an international address.
YouTube boosted its editing tools Wednesday with more than what it had already added just last week. A beta addition lets users convert 2D videos to 3D with a single-click tool. The conversion is strictly software-based but will save the trouble for some of having to get a 3D-capable phone or tablet like the T-Mobile G-Slate.
YouTube started its path to handling the full video editing pipeline with a new editing feature. Clips can be edited for basic changes, such as stabilization, brightness, contrast and saturation, but given special effects. The filters brought over from the Picnik buyout mimic those from apps like Instagram or Picplz and range from simple black and white to Lomo-like or cel-shaded effects.
Using the Mac App Store, Apple has released updates to the three apps in iLife '11: GarageBand, iMovie and iPhoto. In each circumstance the updates address underlying bugs instead of adding new features. GarageBand 6.0.4 for instance fixes problems with the Lesson Store not finishing downloads, and tempo-based effects slipping out of sync with the main tempo. Magic GarageBand project files should open properly in the tracks view.
Apple's video editing software lead Randy Ubillos quietly addressed some of the fears of professional video editors following the rocky introduction of Final Cut Pro X. Shortly before the company's more technical help, Ubillos was adamant to a CreativeCow forum member that the feature set wasn't concrete. Alluding to an upgrade pattern similar to iMovie, he saw it as a foundation for a larger platform.
An in-depth study of Apple's corporate structure has uncovered previously secret details about both the 2008 fallout over MobileMe, how CEO Steve Jobs has been preparing for his eventual exit, and a potential clue as to a major project. Following the major service problems after MobileMe launched alongside the iPhone 3G, Jobs reportedly assembled the entire MobileMe team and asked them "what MobileMe is supposed to do," according to Fortune. After an explanation, he simply responded "so why the f*** doesn't it do that?"
Apple used the FCPUG Supermeet at NAB to unveil Final Cut Pro X, a completely remade version of its pro video editing suite. The new version is designed for 64-bit and native Cocoa language from the start with support for OpenCL to accelerate video processing tasks. The new code is much more efficient and will render in the background, letting users edit even as they're importing a project.
It may have been some time since iWeb, Apple’s simple WYSIWYG web page design tool, has received new features. However, it appears that Apple has at the very least considered bringing it across to the iPad. A new patent application has emerged that shows a version of iWeb for the iPad. It would join GarageBand, Keynote, Numbers, Pages and iMovie as productivity and creativity apps ported from its Mac OS X platform over to its burgeoning iOS platform.
The iPad version of iMovie is continuing to suffer from a problem in which video file access is dependent on location services, a report notes. If location services are turned off for the app, an error message pops up. While users can keep working, iMovie allegedly prevents people from adding new video clips.
Vimeo gave iPhone users an alternative to iMovie on Tuesday through its own native app (free, App Store). The app both plays Vimeo clips but lets users record and edit movies using similar linear timeline. It previews differently but lets users stitch together clips and add multiple audio backdrops, titles, and transitions.
Geek Squad co-founder Robert Stephens has used his iPhone 4 and iPad 2 to record and edit a live report from the scene of a gas explosion. The video embedded below was shot on his iPhone 4 before he used Apple’s USB Camera Connection Kit to load the raw video on his iPad 2. He then used Apple’s new iMovie app for iPad 2 to edit the clip with transitions and add a map, subtitles and a voiceover to complete his citizen news report.
Apple is now actively promoting AirPlay-capable apps on the App Store. A section in the storefront groups together titles that exploit the recently-enhanced streaming feature, which pushes content to an Apple TV. Some titles central to the promotion include Air Video, which streams non-native media like AVI and MKV files, and Discovery Channel HD, an iPad app that offers access to clips from Discovery TV. Foremost, though, is Apple's own iMovie editing tool.
Apple has released iPad versions of its iMovie and GarageBand applications, which were initially previewed alongside the iPad 2. Both titles replicate many of the basic functions that are available in their Mac OS X counterparts, enabling users to create music with a variety of instruments or edit videos with transitions and other elements.
Online orders of the iPad 2 will open at Apple around 1AM Pacific time on Friday, or about 4AM Eastern, according to the company. The timing mirrors that announced by AT&T, one of Apple's two US carrier partners. Buyers will otherwise have to line up for 5PM (local time) launches at retail chains, including not just Apple and AT&T but Best Buy, Target, Verizon, Walmart and some smaller resellers.
A rumor circulating Friday has suggested that Apple is afraid of and distrustful of Facebook. The tip, reportedly from a Facebook team that handles external deals, claimed that "they hate" Facebook at Apple because of its power. Facebook's iPhone app and services are important enough that they could up-end iOS itself if there was enough deep-level integration, SAI heard.
Apple has previewed new iPad versions of several iOS apps, including iLife titles iMovie and GarageBand, along with several apps that take advantage of the dual-camera configuration of the iPad 2. FaceTime for iPad will provide the same basic functionality as the iPhone edition, enabling video calls with easy switching between the primary and front-facing camera sensors. Photo Booth is geared for self portraits and snapshots, which can be tweaked with a variety of unique effects.
Logitech announced that its flagship HD Pro Webcam C910 is now fully Mac-compatible. The HD Pro Webcam 910 is plug-and-play ready for Photo Booth, iChat and FaceTime. A free download provides integration with iPhoto and IMovie and enable video calling at HD 720p resolution. The HD Pro Webcam can be used with common video calling clients such as Skype, Yahoo! Messenger, and Gmail Voice and Video Chat.
Apple appears to have placed restrictions on using official studio names to create trailers for movies produced in iMovie '11. When using the Trailers theme with an image of the earth, which looks very similar to the official Universal Studios logo, the software prevents users from placing the word "universal" in the studio name. The word is instead replaced with several hyphens.
Apple today revealed iLife '11, a new version of the software suite pre-installed on every Mac. Three core apps have been updated, beginning with iPhoto '11, which has gained new fullscreen views for Faces, Places, Albums and photobooks, in areas using iPad-style interfaces with iOS-like buttons located along the bottom. Facebook sharing lets people view responses to posted images, and a special e-mail sharing tool lets people auto-arrange photos into an attractive layout. Some other changes include new slideshow templates, and a Project view with a bookshelf similar to iBooks.
Plans to launch a new MacBook Air and iLife '11 have been virtually confirmed this morning both by unofficial leaks and by Apple itself. The company's discussion forums already have placeholder categories for the "MBA" notebook as well as iMovie '11, GarageBand '11 and iPhoto '11. Polish site Spidersweb, who first found the leaks, also discovered a mystery "Reserved 10 20" category that could represent a new app or piece of hardware.
(Updated with additional discoveries) At least one listing discovered at Amazon UK today backs claims that iLife '11 is due soon. The entry for a German help guide mentions both the creative suite as well as references to it coming "with apps for Mac, iPhone 4, iPod and iPad." The mentions are likely references to the current iMovie app for the iPhone 4 and fourth generation iPod touch.
The Department of Justice today reached a settlement with several technology firms to end anti-poaching job deals between each other. Adobe, Apple, Google, Intel, Intuit and Pixar have agreed to end reportedly anti-competitive deals that prevented them from recruiting each other's staff. Companies will be required to allow "cold calls" and other active hiring attempts for at least five years and will have to institute "compliance measures" to make sure the ruling is enforced.
On the heels of iOS 4.1's release, Apple has posted still more downloads related to the firmware. The first is iOS SDK 4.1, which includes the latest versions of the Xcode IDE, iOS Simulator and other tools necessary for app production. Registered developers can find the software at the iOS Dev Center.
JVC this morning reworked its Picsio camcorders to give them new interfaces and refresh the features. The GC-FM2 and GC-WP10 replace the usual back buttons with a three-inch touchscreen that can show on-screen controls and full-screen playback. Although it uses a less-precise resistive panel, the screen choice allows input even with gloves.
Panasonic in a special evening launch trotted out two camcorders, one of which is a first for the entire company. The HM-TA1 is its venture into the Flip's home territory and immediately claims an edge with full-speed 1080p video. The camera is unique in the class as it supports Apple's iFrame encoding: it can output its video to iMovie at 540p without having to resize until the final export.
In parallel with the iPhone 4 launch, Apple has released iMovie for iPhone at the App Store. The app mimics the Mac software of the same name, allowing more complex video editing than possible with an iPhone's pre-installed tools. Because of the technical demands of the app, it can operate only on an iPhone 4.
iMovie for iPhone will be one of the most demanding mobile video editing apps to date when it's released, contacts within Apple said today. The software will need an iPhone 4 as only the A4 would have enough power for both the 720p video and real-time transition effects. iPads were also ruled out by TidBITS' informers, as the tablets aren't designed to adapt to the iPhone 4's 960x640 resolution; the lack of a camera is also a major factor.
Nokia in a seemingly coincidental update has pitched the N8 against the iPhone 4 as a tool for video editing (video below). The Symbian^3 phone will have a visual timeline "like iMovie or Windows Movie Maker" and in some ways will behave like iMovie for iPhone. Owners can trim and split clips as well as add transitions and customizable titles.
Alongside Apple's iPhone 4 introduction, the company also previewed an iMovie app designed specifically for the handset. The new device allows users to record video in 720p resolution at 30 frames per second. Recordings can then be edited in iMovie and exported via e-mail, SMS or YouTube.
Microsoft today tried to claim a rare edge in superiority for media apps with a preview of an upgraded Windows Live Essentials pack. The bundle focuses heavily on Photo Gallery and claims some advantages not seen in iPhoto: users can make composite images that take the best parts of similar images, and Facebook integration is tight with both uploads and the ability to import tags from photos already uploaded to the social network. Batch edits and an Office-like ribbon interface are also new.
After missing its original March target, JVC on Tuesday said it had started shipping the Everio GZ-HM1. It captures at a native 1080p but specializes in capturing in low light; its 10.6-megapixel, back-illuminated CMOS sensor works in lighting as dim as four lux and can use light sensitivity as high as ISO 6,400. As a semi-pro camera, the HM1 gets manual controls over aperture, bracketing and shutter speed where useful.
Apple has released a collection of four new patches, covering multiple products. Central is Aperture 3.0.2, which addresses general stability in the workflow app, as well as 13 individual problem areas. Some of the latter including upgrading libraries from Aperture 1.x or 2.x, creating print presets, using the Curves, Straighten and Retouching tools, and IPTC metadata. The upgrade is a 69.83MB download.
A Milan, Italy court today found three of four Google executives guilty for allegedly violating Italian privacy code through an upload to Google Video. David Drummond, Peter Fleischer and ex-employee George Reyes were held responsible for a 2006 incident in which Turin students uploaded video of them bullying an autistic student. None of the four, which included Arvind Desikan, were convicted of the direct criminal defamation charges also attached to the case.
Sorenson has launched Squeeze 6, an upgraded version of its video encoding tool. The program is aimed at professionals, and allows users to specify various audio and video controls such as compression, normalization and noise reduction. New to the code is a substantially faster encoding speed, as much as five times better when using H.264 or On2 VP6.
Apple on Tuesday released iMovie 8.0.5 [36MB], an update to its free movie editing software bundled with all new Macs. According to Apple, the update improves compatibility with a number of devices and fixes other minor issues, including improved compatibility with camcorders using the iFrame video format and with importing video captured on the iPod nano as well as fixed problems with resizing the iMovie window during playback. The update, available both online and via the Software Update, is recommended for all users of iMovie '09.
JVC on Tuesday exported its first-ever pocket camcorder to US shores. The Picsio GC-FM1 is one of the few cameras its size to record in 1080p (albeit 4:3) at a full 30 frames per second with image stabilization. It also has a 720p, 60FPS shooting mode and a toggle to switch to 8-megapixel still image shooting. All movies are captured in H.264 (AVCHD) in a format that can be immediately sent to iMovie, iTunes or YouTube without being transcoded first.
Creative tonight launched a small but tangible update to its Vado HD pocket video camera aimed at making it more affordable. While its only conspicuous change on the outside is a two-tone color scheme, the company now has a 4GB model that makes the camera more competitive with the falling prices of cameras like the Kodak Zi8. For the first time, the Vado line also gets Mac support: a new app known as Vado Central will let the Vado HD and earlier Vados shuttle videos directly to iMovie.
Apple today revealed that Google chief Eric Schmidt has resigned from Apple's Board of Directors. The executive had held a position for three years but is leaving due to a conflict of interest triggered by the unveiling of Chrome OS, which now puts Google in direct competition with Mac OS X. Apple CEO Steve Jobs characterized the departure as unwanted but necessary given how often it would force Schmidt to leave Apple meetings discussing strategy.
JVC this morning added a new, high-end HD camcorder to its mix. The Everio GZ-HM400 shoots the same 1080i widescreen, H.264 video as the GZ-X900 but has a more conventional form factor and has a sharper 10.2-megapixel sensor for shooting higher resolution photos. A new 10X Konica-Minolta lens also reduces chromatic aberration and is accompanied by extra controls to the left of the lens.
AudioMicro says it has licensed over 55,000 sound effects from The Hollywood Edge to add to its Online Stock Music and Sound Effects Library. The effects come from Soundelux, a studio with numerous films to its credit, such as Braveheart and Kill Bill. Public and professional access is charged on a by-the-minute basis or via subscription; effects can be acquired individually or in bulk.
Apple today released the latest update for its iMovie software, which is said to improve overall stability and fix several small issues. iMovie 8.0.4 has fixed a problem related to video rotation that appeared while working with files create on an iPhone 3GS and an instability problem that could occur when adding multiple beat markers in some languages. An issue that could cause the software to become unresponsive after using fine-tuning controls past stabilized portions of a clip has also been fixed.
Sony today significantly ramped up the quality of its HD Handycams with two new models that promise fundamental changes. The HDR-CX500V and HDR-CX520V both have significantly upgraded visuals with a new backlit CMOS sensor. Moving the illumination away from the front gives either camera about twice as much light sensitivity, improving shooting in darker scenes. Both sensors are also upgraded to 12 megapixels and can shoot still photos at the high resolution in addition to 1080i widescreen video.
In brief: The Mac U has released a new video designed to help customers become more familiar with the latest release of iMovie. The video includes approximately 90 minutes of content and covers topics ranging from organization to editing. Mophie has announced that its latest small-form case and external battery combo will be fully compatible with the iPhone 3GS. The case is claimed to be one of the smallest external batteries available, and add an additional 4.5 hours of 3G talk time. Meanwhile, a new petition has been started, in an attempt to see the tabs-on-top feature returned to Safari 4. The feature was introduced in the Safari 4 beta, but ultimately removed.
Using Mac OS X's Software Update feature, Apple has released updates to several key pieces of software. Among these is Digital Camera Raw 2.6, which extends RAW format support within Aperture 2.x and the '08 and '09 editions of iPhoto. Compatible cameras now include the Nikon D5000 and the Olympus E-30, as well as Canon's EOS-500D, Rebel T1i and EOS Kiss Digital X3.
Samsung on Wednesday updated its camcorder line with two new standard-definition camcorders that boost both the aesthetics and performance. The SMX-C10 and SMX-C14 both have the same Touch of Color visual trick on their bodies as Samsung's newer HDTVs to produce a unique, gradual shift between black and red. They also bring the Active Angle lens of the HD-capable HMX-R10 to let users hold the camera at a more natural angle while pointing in the right direction.
Apple today released updates to consumer movie editing application iMovie as well its professional photography application Aperture and remote administration tools for Mac OS X Server installations. iMovie 8.02 fixes an issue with projects having a size of 0KB where attempting to open these projects would cause iMovie to quit unexpectedly at launch. According to Apple, the update also addresses a problem where full-screen mode could not be accessed on some systems. Apple's Aperture 2.1.3 update improves overall stability and addresses minor issues in a number of areas, including the display of thumbnails on import and image rotation. The free update is recommended for all users of Aperture 2.3 and is available as a 48.1MB download.
