Final Cut Pro gets AI

Apple video-editing app ditches manuals for artificial intelligence.

Author

Leander Kahney
November 14, 2024

In partnership with

Our online buddy Basic Apple Guy posted a fun picture on X right after Apple announced the new version of its powerhouse video-editing app, Final Cut Pro 11.

It shows the fat stack of manuals that accompanied the app in the good old days — all eight volumes of it!

The latest version of the app dispenses with all that. In fact, it’s now chock-full of AI features that do a chunk of work for you. Here are the details.

Also in today’s newsletter:

  • Cult of Mac writer D. Griffin Jones hands-on reviewed the latest Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad. I use an older Magic Trackpad, and it’s gotta be the best input device ever. Using a mouse, I used to suffer from terrible cramps and aches in my hands and wrists — no more! The Magic Keyboard with Touch ID is also highly recommended, although Griffin thinks the price is pretty steep.

  • Ahead of Black Friday, entry-level iPads are at their lowest price ever. Also, the brand-new M4 MacBook Pro gets a big $125 discount.

  • Legendary Apple programmer Bill Atkinson has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, the same terrible disease that killed Steve Jobs. Atkinson is one of programming’s gods. The Apple alum was one of the prime architects of the original Mac software, plus MacPaint, QuickDraw, HyperCard and much more. He’s asking for prayers. Get well soon Bill.

  • Classic horror game Resident Evil 2 comes to iPhone, iPad and Macs soon — but there’s a small catch.

  • Is iCloud abusive? A British consumer watchdog thinks so, and filed a multibillion-dollar lawsuit.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

A message from JKBX

Why Smart Investors Are Turning to Music Royalties

While others ride the market rollercoaster, savvy investors are exploring a new opportunity: music royalties.

  • Uncorrelated returns: Music streams flow regardless of market conditions

  • Growing industry: The $37.6bn* music streaming industry shows no signs of slowing

  • Long-term potential: Songs have long shelf lives (think “oldies but goodies”)

JKBX (pronounced “Jukebox”) lets you access music catalogs previously reserved for industry insiders. Explore the potential of building a portfolio with music royalties today.

Visit www.jkbx.com/legal/offering-circulars for important Reg A disclosures. This content is not investment advice, nor is it an offer of securities. All investments involve risk and may result in loss.
*Source: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research, May, 2024.

Final Cut Pro 11 for Mac's AI features supercharge your editing workflow

Apple is rolling out major updates to Final Cut Pro for Mac, Final Cut Camera, and Final Cut for iPad with new AI features.

Apple legend Bill Atkinson in treatment for pancreatic cancer

Legendary Apple programmer Bill Atkinson is being treated for the same disease that killed his boss, Steve Jobs.

UK consumer group files £3B lawsuit against Apple for iCloud ‘abuse’

A UK consumer-advocacy group claims iCloud is an abuse of Apple’s power over iPhone and iPad users.

A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team

Get all-time low prices on iPads for Black Friday

All-time low prices on iPads for Black Friday are among the deals you'll find on a selection of Apple's entry-level tablets.

New Apple Magic Mouse has all the same problems, but Lightning ain’t one [Review] ★★★☆☆

The Magic Mouse has been updated with USB-C, and … well, that's about it. You can ditch the Lightning cable on your desk, at least.

New Apple Magic Keyboard is still a high price to pay for Touch ID [Review] ★★★☆☆

Review: The Apple Magic Keyboard is the only way to get Touch ID on the Mac. You just have to pay the rather high price for it.

New Apple Magic Trackpad is still the best ever [Review] ★★★★½

The new Apple Magic Trackpad with USB-C still holds the crown for the best Mac peripheral. It is, simply, the best trackpad in the world.

A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team

Price drop: $35 wireless charger will fast-charge your iPhone on the go

Never wind up glued to a power outlet again. Grab the Speedy Mag Wireless Charger for iPhone now for just $34.97 (regularly $119).

M4 MacBook Pro gets a big $125 discount before Black Friday

Apple's newest M4 MacBook Pro gets a $125 discount on Amazon, less than a week after its launch, dropping its price to $1,474.

Every Mac deserves a quality PDF reader like this one

Don't miss your chance to get PDF Reader Pro for Mac for just $29.97 (regularly $59). This is a lifetime license (available for PC, too).

‘Resident Evil 2’ remake creeps onto Mac, iPhone and iPad in December

The updated version of Capcom’s classic “Resident Evil 2” horror game launches on recent iPhone, iPad and Mac computers in under a month.

‘Side Quest’ joins Apple+ hit ‘Mythic Quest’ season 4 for more gaming comedy

Madcap workplace comedy “Mythic Quest” just got a premiere date for its next season — and a spinoff called “Side Quest.”

Today in Apple history: iPods take to the skies

On November 14, 2006, Apple said it would team up with six airlines to make in-flight iPods an option for flyers' entertainment.

Tweets of the day

Wallpaper of the day

One more thing ...

❝

People get stuck as they get older. Our minds are sort of electrochemical computers. Your thoughts construct patterns like scaffolding in your mind. You are really etching chemical patterns. In most cases, people get stuck in those patterns, just like grooves in a record, and they never get out of them. It's a rare person who etches grooves that are other than a specific way of looking at things, a specific way of questioning things. It's rare that you see an artist in his 30s or 40s able to really contribute something amazing. Of course, there are some people who are innately curious, forever little kids in their awe of life, but they're rare.

— Steve Jobs, 1985.

Today’s poll

Mouse or trackpad?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Results from yesterday’s poll: What do you make of Apple's smart home device?

Best reader comments

Subscribe to The Weekender — Get the week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.

Reply

or to participate.