Apple on Tuesday debuted a new version of its Final Cut Pro software for the iPad, featuring exclusive new capabilities for M4 iPad Pros, which were also unveiled on Tuesday.
The app now offers a new Live Multicam feature that allows iPad users to capture up to four different angles of a single scene using connected iPhones and iPads. Apple has also created a Final Cut Camera app that captures video from each of the devices and feeds it into Final Cut Pro.
Final Cut Camera allows users to adjust settings like white balance and manual focus, while monitoring their recordings with zebras and audio meters. Users can now also adjust ISO and shutter speed, and enable focus peaking, bringing even more power to the camera system on iPad Air and iPad Pro. Final Cut Camera can also be downloaded for free as a standalone video capture app to record professional videos on iPhone and iPad with precise manual controls.
The updated Final Cut Pro for iPad app also offers support for external projects, meaning users can create or open projects on an external device and import media without taking up iPad storage space.
Additional customization options to Final Cut Pro include 12 color-grading presets, eight basic text titles, 20 soundtracks, and new dynamic backgrounds.
On M4-powered iPad Pros, Apple says Final Cut Pro completes final rendering of video up to 2x faster and provides support for up to 4x more streams of ProRes RAW than the M1 chip.
Final Cut for iPad is compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro, which features offers new features, including a new squeeze gesture, haptic feedback, and Find My compatibility.
Final Cut Pro for the Mac will also release an update, adding Enhance Light and Color, an AI feature that improves color, color balance, contrast, and brightness in one step. The new Smooth Slo-Mo feature blends frames of video intelligently to provide higher-quality movement.
Pricing and Availability
- Final Cut Pro for iPad 2 will be available later this spring as a free update for existing users, and available on the App Store for $4.99 (U.S.) per month or $49(U.S.) per year, with a one-month free trial for new users.
- Final Cut Camera will be available for free later this spring as a standalone app.
- Final Cut Pro for Mac 10.8 will be available as a free update for existing users and for $299.99 (U.S.) for new users on the Mac App Store. All new users can download a free 90-day trial of Final Cut Pro.
