Apple’s iMovie mobile application has new competition when it comes to mobile video editing. Long-time digital video editing software vendor Avid has released its Avid Studio mobile video editing app for the iPad. The app is currently available in the App Store for an introductory price of $4.99 and will increase to $8 after 30 days. Avid Studio for the iPad is the company’s first video editing program for Apple’s mobile platforms. Avid Studio looks to provide most of the features offered through the desktop version, going above and beyond what iMovie is capable of in many cases. The app comes only two days after Apple released a big update for Final Cut Pro X for OS X.

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Apple on Tuesday announced a major update to its Final Cut Pro X video editing software. The company added “multicam editing that automatically syncs up to 64 angles of video and photos; advanced chroma keying for handling complex adjustments right in the app; and enhanced XML for a richer interchange with third party apps and plug-ins that support the fast growing Final Cut Pro X ecosystem.” The Final Cut Pro v10.0.3 update is available now and is free for all existing Final Cut Pro X users. New users can purchase the software from Apple’s Mac App Store for $299.99 after a 30-day free trial. Apple’s full press release follows after the break.

Apple Updates Final Cut Pro X

CUPERTINO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Apple® today released Final Cut Pro® X v10.0.3, a significant update to its revolutionary professional video editing application, which introduces multicam editing that automatically syncs up to 64 angles of video and photos; advanced chroma keying for handling complex adjustments right in the app; and enhanced XML for a richer interchange with third party apps and plug-ins that support the fast growing Final Cut Pro X ecosystem. Available today as a free update from the Mac® App Store™, Final Cut Pro X v10.0.3 also includes a beta of broadcast monitoring that supports Thunderbolt devices as well as PCIe cards.

Final Cut Pro X v10.0.3 includes a collection of groundbreaking new tools for editing multicam projects. Final Cut Pro X automatically syncs clips from your shoot using audio waveforms, time and date, or timecode to create a Multicam Clip with up to 64 angles of video, which can include mixed formats, frame sizes and frame rates. The powerful Angle Editor allows you to dive into your Multicam Clip to make precise adjustments, and the Angle Viewer lets you play back multiple angles at the same time and seamlessly cut between them.

Final Cut Pro X builds upon its robust, one-step chroma key with the addition of advanced controls including color sampling, edge adjustment and light wrap. You can tackle complex keying challenges right in Final Cut Pro X, without having to export to a motion graphics application, and view your results instantly with realtime playback.

In the seven months since launch, the third party ecosystem around Final Cut Pro X has expanded dramatically. XML-compatible software like DaVinci Resolve and CatDV provide tight integration for tasks such as color correction and media management. The new 7toX app from Intelligent Assistance uses XML to import Final Cut Pro 7 projects into Final Cut Pro X. In addition, some of the industry’s largest visual effects developers, including GenArts and Red Giant, have developed motion graphics plug-ins that take advantage of the speed and real-time preview capabilities of Final Cut Pro X.

Broadcast monitoring in Final Cut Pro X is currently in beta and allows you to connect to waveform displays, vectorscopes, and calibrated, high-quality monitors to ensure that your project meets broadcast specifications. Final Cut Pro X supports monitoring of video and audio through Thunderbolt I/O devices, as well as through third party PCIe cards.

Pricing & Availability

Final Cut Pro X v10.0.3 is available from the Mac App Store for $299.99 (US) to new users, or as a free update for existing Final Cut Pro X customers. A 30-day free trial of Final Cut Pro X is available at www.apple.com/finalcutpro/trial. Full system requirements and more information on Final Cut Pro X can be found at www.apple.com/finalcutpro.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad.

After facing criticisms from the professional community over several changes in Final Cut Pro X, Apple has updated its website with a new frequently asked questions page that explains the changes and, in some cases, why they were made. In response to the question, “Can I import projects from Final Cut Pro 7 into Final Cut Pro X?” Apple explains that “Final Cut Pro X includes an all-new project architecture structured around a trackless timeline and connected clips.” Due to these changes, there’s no way to bring old files into the new software without losing or changing some of your data. That said, Apple did note that Final Cut Pro 7 will work with OS X Lion and that users can continue to use it after installing Final Cut Pro X. Similarly, Apple noted that Final Cut Pro X will support “great” multicam editing in the next major release. It will also add the ability to export XML files. An update allowing the ability to add metadata tags to audio clips will also be issued this summer, too.

[Via Mac Rumors]

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Apple just lifted the curtain on Final Cut Pro X during the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) show in Las Vegas. The latest version of the hugely popular video editing software adds support for 64-bit processors and can now take advantage of more than 4GB of RAM. There are a number of enhancements including new smart collections for grouping similar types of media together – like multiple photos of one person, in the same vain as iPhoto – clip connection for keeping audio and video in sync, and a magnetic timeline feature that prevents trim collision. Apple also says there’s a new user interface design, and users will be able to start editing video before the ingest stage is completed. Final Cut Pro X is also capable of background rendering and can take advantage of 8-core editing rigs in addition to handling 4K video clips. Apple says Final Cut Pro X will be available in June for $299.

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Have you been a fan of Qik, yet kind of depressed its live streaming iPhone app has fallen by the way side? Qik has just announced that it has a brand new app for the iPhone and iPod touch, and it’s called Qik Video Connect. Qik Video Connect streams live video like you’re used to, directly to your Qik.com user page, but it takes things one step further by offering live video calling (over 3G as well as Wi-Fi), video messaging and video sharing. If your friends aren’t around for a live video chat, just shoot them a video message, or even post it up automatically on Facebook or Twitter. Qik also has a premiun version of Video Connect that’s available for $2.99 if you want to access enhanced features like real-time video effects, the capability to edit your videos prior to upload, and HD video quality uploads. We have been messing witih Qik Video Connect for a little while, and well, we really love having Qik live streaming back on our iPhones. The new app is clean, easy to use, and the video sharing features are really intriguing. Both versions will be available in the App Store later on today. The full press release can be found after the break.

MARCH XX, 2011 –LUXEMBOURG – Today at South by Southwest Interactive (SXSW) in Austin, TX, Qik, mobile video software recently acquired by Skype, launched a new iPhone app called Qik Video Connect. The new app enables individuals to stay connected with friends and family through video calling, video messaging, and video sharing.

With Qik Video Connect, users can instantly share what is happening around them with friends and family through a live video call. If they aren’t able to connect live, then users can still share all the rich details of the moment by sending a video mail. They can even post a live video link to Facebook and Twitter so friends can watch the moment as it is being recorded. The new social video feed makes it easy to follow what friends are doing by receiving alerts when new videos are shared and watching those videos right from the phone.

Whether it’s capturing a greeting for your loved ones, recording a video of your child as they score the winning goal, or having a video chat while you’re away from your friends and family – Qik makes it simple to record, share and stay connected through video.
There are two versions of the application available to consumers – Qik Video Connect and Qik Video Connect Plus. The latter is available for $2.99 and offers additional features such as:

• Real-time effects: Customize and enhance video chat and live video streaming with seven effects and filters.
• Video editing: Use simple video editing tools directly from your device to share the best moments.
• HD quality: Upload and share true HD quality videos captured on your phone.

“In a world of fast and readily available 3G, 4G and WiFi connections, video allows you to transcend the current world of text and photo messages to share special and everyday moments in a more meaningful way,” said Rick Osterloh, head of consumer products for Skype. “Qik Video Connect makes the concept of ‘see what I see’ a full reality.”

Both the Qik Video Connect and Connect Plus apps enable live video chat over 3G, 4G* or WiFi between iPhones, iPod Touches with built-in cameras. Qik is integrated with your phone’s contact list so you can easily see when your friends and family are available for a live video chat. In addition, you can also send a private video mail through email or SMS if your friends and family aren’t able to talk live, no matter what device or phone network they are on.

Both apps are available for download today through the Apple App store for iPhone and 4th generation iPod Touch models with iOS 4 or later. For additional information, visit: qik.com

Earlier today, YouTube introduced a simple and very easy to use cloud-based video editor for its millions of users. Creating things like mashups couldn’t be more simple thanks to the new system, requiring users only to drag their clips into sequential order, trim each clip to length, and then throw in some music and titles. Like we said, it’s a very simple system that doesn’t offer a whole lot of options. But for the average person who possesses neither the right software or the know how, YouTube’s solution is pretty spot on.

[Via Ars Technica]

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In what would truly be a direct and devastating assault on Palm and it’s upcoming Pre handset, Gear Live is reporting the new iPhone Video may launch as soon as this coming Monday following a WWDC announcement. Though this is hardly confirmed for the time being, Gear Live has proven reliable on several occasions in the past. According to the site, the iPhone Video will be available in three sizes — 8GB, 16GB and 32GB — with most of the rumored goodies we’ve been hearing about lately. The iPhone Video will initially be available in limited supply from Apple locations while a second, smaller model will be released at a later point in time. The smaller 4GB model will reportedly not be sold in Apple Stores. Again, a Monday release is just hearsay for the time being but with all of the heat Palm has attracted with the Pre, we wouldn’t be surprised if Apple fast-tracked the launch in an attempt to deal Palm and Sprint a swift death blow right out of the gate.

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