13 years. That is how long since Apple first released Final Cut Pro X.
This professional non-linear video editing software, a direct competitor to Adobe Premiere Pro, was originally developed by Macromedia before being acquired and integrated into Apple's ecosystem. Exclusive to macOS, it has evolved to become an increasingly versatile and powerful tool for video editors.
However, a decade without significant updates felt like an eternity in the fast-moving world of video editing software.
That gap represents just over half of Final Cut Pro X's entire existence, as the software celebrated its 25th anniversary this April.
To put it in perspective, back in 2011, Adobe Premiere Pro was at CS5.5, widely considered one of the most powerful video editing tools available, especially due to its deep integration with the Adobe Creative Suite. Since then, Adobe Premiere Pro has released 14 major updates.
During the years when it seemed like Apple had left Final Cut Pro to stagnate, the tech giant finally introduced Final Cut Pro 11.
And here, it seemingly has a good reason for the delay.
And that excuse is "AI."
After announcing Apple Intelligence and how it markets the AI as the highlight of this 2024 iPhone 16 series, the company is tapping into the power of AI to also enhance Final Cut Pro with a host of new features.
Leading the charge is 'Magnetic Mask', a tool that allows editors to effortlessly cut out people and objects from video without relying on a green screen.
Apple highlights how this automatic analysis delivers precise results, offering editors flexibility to easily customize backgrounds and environments. What's more, Magnetic Mask can be combined with color correction and video effects, enabling complete control over every aspect of the project and helping to achieve the perfect look.
Another major AI-driven feature is 'Transcribe to Captions', which does exactly what its name suggests: it automatically generates captions and places them directly onto the Final Cut timeline.
This feature is powered by Apple’s own large language model (LLM), providing a seamless solution for quickly adding text-based content to videos.
Final Cut Pro 11 also introduces time-saving features like Magnetic Timeline, which makes it easier than ever to rearrange clips quickly while ensuring that audio stays in sync with the video. This speeds up editing and enhances overall efficiency.
Apple has also optimized Final Cut Pro 11 specifically for its M-series chips, unlocking the ability to handle more simultaneous 4K and 8K ProRes video streams. This means better performance and smoother workflows for professionals working with high-resolution content.
In addition, the new version introduces developments for Apple’s mixed-reality ambitions.
Following the introduction of Apple Vision Pro and Spatial Video capture on the latest iPhone models, this kind of content can be fully edited within Final Cut Pro.
For example, users can adjust colors, apply effects, and even fine-tune the depth positioning of titles, offering greater creative flexibility when working with this immersive video format.
Though CEO Tim Cook has acknowledged that the $3,500 Vision Pro headset hasn’t yet achieved the mainstream success Apple had hoped for, and that the company is reportedly working on a more affordable model, what's certain is that Apple is working on bringing everything into its ecosystem so Apple users can benefit from everything Apple has to give.
While the many tools Apple provides may not be enough to convert some hardcore PC users to Mac newbies, but Apple is on the right track into getting Apple users, even those who aren't professionals, to be able to create everything they need with an Apple-developed application.
Very few companies can tick all those software boxes.
Adobe can, but Adobe is not a hardware company with cult following.
Finally, alongside the release of Final Cut Pro 11, Apple is also launching Final Cut Pro for iPad 2.1.
The iPad version comes with upgraded features, including enhanced light and color controls, as well as an improved workflow experience. This update will be available starting Wednesday as a free download for existing users.
In summary, Final Cut Pro 11 brings powerful new AI tools, expanded mixed-reality capabilities, time-saving features, and a more optimized experience for Apple’s hardware.
With Final Cut Pro 11 that is literally drooling AI, it’s clear that Apple is committed to pushing the boundaries of what video editing can achieve, with an eye toward future developments in both software and hardware.
And at the same time, Apple has again emphasized the importance of the term "Pro" in its product lineup.
The term refers to a series of higher-end devices, software, and services that are designed for professionals or advanced users who require powerful performance, enhanced features, and premium build quality. Apple uses the "Pro" designation to differentiate these products from more basic or consumer-focused models.
This is because it's worth noting that Final Cut was released without the "Pro" in its name from 2003 to 2011.
At the time, Final Cut generally refers to Final Cut Express, a consumer-level video editing software Apple released before Final Cut Pro became its flagship professional editing tool.
In 2011, Apple discontinued Final Cut Express in favor of pushing Final Cut Pro X as the next evolution, meant to serve as both a professional and a more user-friendly alternative, drawing features from both the consumer and professional editing markets.
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