Apple updates iMovie for iOS with new filters, speed controls, Photo app integration, more
Continuing its ongoing first-party iOS app updates, Apple on Wednesday released a new version of iMovie that introduces a slew of editing features alongside support for iOS 8.
While iOS 8 compatibility is the first item on Apple's release notes for iMovie version 2.1, the updated consumer-level video editing app brings a number of new features like filters and support for iCloud Drive.
With version 2.1, video clips can be edited in the new iOS 8 Photos app by using the iMovie extension, making available an extra set of tools for tweaking and image enhancement. In addition, ten Apple-designed filters now come prepackaged for application in a single clip or across an entire movie.
Post-processing speed controls now allow users to slow down, speed up or freeze sections of a clip for dramatic results. While slow-motion and freeze frames are supported in older iOS devices, Apple notes users must have at least an iPhone 5s, iPad Air or iPad mini with Retina display to apply 2x speed-up effects.
Video storage and sharing options have been extended to include compatibility iCloud Drive and sending to other apps on an iOS device.
Finally, iMovie version 2.1 includes title creation using bi-directional text and added support for Arabic, Australian English, Hebrew, and Mexican Spanish.
iMovie is available to new device owners as a free 643MB download from the iOS App Store, while those with older iPhone, iPad and iPod touch models can purchase the video editor for $4.99.
While iOS 8 compatibility is the first item on Apple's release notes for iMovie version 2.1, the updated consumer-level video editing app brings a number of new features like filters and support for iCloud Drive.
With version 2.1, video clips can be edited in the new iOS 8 Photos app by using the iMovie extension, making available an extra set of tools for tweaking and image enhancement. In addition, ten Apple-designed filters now come prepackaged for application in a single clip or across an entire movie.
Post-processing speed controls now allow users to slow down, speed up or freeze sections of a clip for dramatic results. While slow-motion and freeze frames are supported in older iOS devices, Apple notes users must have at least an iPhone 5s, iPad Air or iPad mini with Retina display to apply 2x speed-up effects.
Video storage and sharing options have been extended to include compatibility iCloud Drive and sending to other apps on an iOS device.
Finally, iMovie version 2.1 includes title creation using bi-directional text and added support for Arabic, Australian English, Hebrew, and Mexican Spanish.
iMovie is available to new device owners as a free 643MB download from the iOS App Store, while those with older iPhone, iPad and iPod touch models can purchase the video editor for $4.99.
Comments
iOS 8 is turning out to be a mind-blowing update. Too much cool stuff (and by the way, I gave in to peer pressure and already updated my iPhone and iPad)...
Apple released an update to iOS GarageBand as well.
The single most important, nay, CRITICAL update for iMovie on iOS is an extra-cost option, not available as an in-app purchase: an iPad!
I used iMovie to edit a video on an iPhone 4. Once. I've never been able to muster the resolve to endure that agony again! Some tasks just really need a bigger screen.
Of course, what's surprising is not that it's difficult to edit video on a tiny little computer that you can carry in your pocket, but that it's possible AT ALL! It wasn't very long ago that stuff like this didn't exist even in dreams.
I had iMovie on my phone for a while. used it a few times as the iOS version of iMovie really is a great App. But like you said the screen is just too small. Not sure if the new iPhone 6 will be big enough to make a difference. Maybe the 6 Plus will be? While it was convenient to edit my videos of the kids and share them to iCloud without needing to load them onto my MacBook Pro first it's just so much easier to edit on a larger screen that I no longer use iMovie on my phone. Like I said it's still a great App and I'm sure there are those out there that would use it on the smaller screen making it worth keeping it as a universal App.
The single most important, nay, CRITICAL update for iMovie on iOS is an extra-cost option, not available as an in-app purchase: an iPad!
I used iMovie to edit a video on an iPhone 4. Once. I've never been able to muster the resolve to endure that agony again! Some tasks just really need a bigger screen.
disagree -- ive used it on my iphone 5 several times to make cool little shorts for friends & family, just like that kid in the apple commercial. once i had a couple hours to kill in the airport and put our vacation video together before we even got home.