Apple introduces iLife '11 with updated versions of iPhoto, iMovie

Posted:
in Mac Software edited January 2014
Apple on Wednesday unveiled the latest version of its iLife software suite, with the 2011 edition including new versions of three included applications: iPhoto, iMovie, and GarageBand.



As with previous versions, iLife '11 is included free with every new Mac. And for users who want to upgrade, it's just $49, and available today.



"This has got to be some of the highest value software in the world," Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs said.



Apple noted that iPhoto '11 has a whole new look, with full screen modes for Faces, Places and Events. iMovie '11 aims to make it easier than ever to edit videos and quickly transform them into fun theatrical trailers for easy posting online. And GarageBand '11 introduces new ways to improve your playing and create great sounding songs with Flex Time and Groove Matching.



"iLife is widely regarded as the best suite of 'Digital Life' applications in the world, and iLife '11 makes them even better," Jobs said in a press release. "iLife now makes it easier than ever to create books and letterpress cards, make amazing movie trailers from your personal videos and post them online, and make your band sound far better or teach yourself piano or guitar."



Highlighted during Wednesday's presentation were iPhoto, iMovie and GarageBand. Features in the suite, announced by Jobs and demoed on stage by executives and engineers, include:



iPhoto '11:

New full screen modes

Facebook enhancements

Easy to e-mail photos

New slideshows, including themes like Places

A big leap in books

New letterpress cards

Phil Schiller, senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, demonstrated creating slideshows with new themes, sending photos via e-mail from within iPhoto, and the ability to download snaps from a Facebook account. He also demonstrated "powerful" new capabilities that allow users to automatically create a photo book with minimal user input.



The presentation also included a video that shows new "Letterpress" cards that allow paper to first be indented in a press, and then filled in with colors via a digital printing process.



It also used a broader full-screen mode, which Jobs said allows users to "live in full screen." Projects are also kept on a bookshelf that looks like iBooks on the iPhone and iPad.







Apple said iPhoto '11 features stunning new full screen modes that take advantage of your Mac?s brilliant display for browsing, editing and showcasing your photos. Sharing your photos is easier than ever in iPhoto ?11, whether you send them by email using one of eight beautiful themes, post them to your Facebook wall with a single click, or play them in full screen with one of 12 professionally designed slideshows.



iPhoto '11 features a completely new approach to creating books and cards with a sleek carousel interface, intelligent book layout and a bookshelf that displays all your projects. New letterpress cards let you combine your photos and text with elegant imprinted designs to create unique wedding invitations, birth announcements, holiday greetings and more.















iMovie '11

All new audio editing

One step effects

People Finder

News and sports themes

Movie trailers with "almost no effort," Jobs said.

A demo was used to show off how the new version of iMovie allows users to easily make changes to audio levels and add effects. Sections of audio can be selected and heightened or lowered, for example, if it is too soft or loud.



The new Movie Trailers feature allows users to make their own mock trailers, including a title, cast and credits. Clips can also be given a cinematic feel with a new 24 frames per second mode.







Apple said iMovie '11 helps you turn your videos into captivating Hollywood-style trailers that are fun to watch and share. You can choose from 15 different genres including Adventure, Romantic Comedy and Epic Drama, each one complete with its own unique titles, graphics and cinematic soundtrack.



Powerful new tools make it easy to selectively adjust audio levels and apply sophisticated visual effects like flash and hold, instant replay and jump cuts with a single click.



People Finder analyzes your videos and marks sections containing faces, so you can quickly find the perfect clips for your trailer or movie. iMovie '11 also adds exciting new themes that make your videos look like professional news or sports programs.















GarageBand '11



Flex Time

Groove Matching

More guitar amps & effects

New piano and guitar lessons.

New feature: "How did I play?"

Demoed on stage was Groove Matching, called "like an automatic spell checker" for syncing up instruments according to a beat in GarageBand. Flex Time can also take individual recordings and drag them out to extend sounds.



New piano lessons will also rate in real time how a user is doing. A percentage in the bottom left hand corner shows how accurately a piano performer has played a particular song. The feature also works with guitar.







Apple said GarageBand '11 includes two new ways to fix or change the timing of your recordings. Flex Time lets you move, stretch or shorten individual notes by clicking on just the part of the audio waveform you want to change, without affecting the rest of the recording.



With Groove Matching, you can select any track as the ?Groove Track? and all other tracks will instantly match its rhythmic feel. GarageBand ?11 adds seven authentic-sounding new guitar amps, five fun new stompbox effects, and 22 new Basic Lessons for piano and guitar.



The new ?How did I Play?? feature listens while you play along with any lesson, highlights mistakes and tracks your progress to help you become a better musician.















iLife '11 is available beginning today for $49.00 in single license form, while the Family Pack costs $79.00. It's also available as part of the new Mac Box Set that includes Snow Leopard and iWork '09 for $129.00 ($179.00 for the Family Pack).
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 65
    WHAT!!? Still iDVD!!? WHEW!!
  • Reply 2 of 65
    cimcim Posts: 197member
    The rumors are true: Mac OS X is becoming iOS—just look at the interface of iPhoto.
  • Reply 3 of 65
    I hate to say this, but Steve looks really under the weather.



    I life looks fantastic btw, the only thing hate are the itunes-like embossed icons that don't use any colour to separate them. That I don't like.
  • Reply 4 of 65
    I think they are trying to put me to sleep on purpose.
  • Reply 5 of 65
    Yawn...
  • Reply 6 of 65
    The iMovie '11 trailer themes look amazing!
  • Reply 7 of 65
    solipsismsolipsism Posts: 25,726member
    The iMovie trailer creator is like MadLibs for video. Pretty cool.



    Quote:
    Originally Posted by VisualZone View Post


    WHAT!!? Still iDVD!!? WHEW!!



    That surprises me too.





    Quote:
    Originally Posted by CIM View Post


    The rumors are true: Mac OS X is becoming iOS?just look at the interface of iPhoto.



    It's not becoming iOS, it's merely borrowing familiar and useful elements of iOS.
  • Reply 8 of 65
    kpluckkpluck Posts: 500member
    Steve Jobs re: iMovie
    Quote:

    The number one request we got in the last version was better audio editing.



    B.S. The number one request has been high definition support.



    -kpluck
  • Reply 9 of 65
    solipsismsolipsism Posts: 25,726member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by kpluck View Post


    Steve Jobs re: iMovie

    B.S. The number one request has been high definition support.



    I was under the impression would already import and export HD content.
  • Reply 10 of 65
    Strange how the iPhoto interface takes design cues from the iPad, and iTunes, while the rest look more like the marble interface we were supposed to have on sl.



    As I am a huge aqua fan I am disappointed to see it go, but what can you do.
  • Reply 11 of 65
    Big disappointment in iMovie. Lots of sizzle, but no steak. How about a better way to organize clips? sigh.
  • Reply 12 of 65
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by solipsism View Post


    I was under the impression would already import and export HD content.



    It does.



    iMovie '09 imports and edits 1080p AVCHD footage without issues. Perhaps people are griping about different HD functionality that I am not familiar with.
  • Reply 13 of 65
    shaminoshamino Posts: 527member
    System requirements, please. Is it going to require Snow Leopard? Do the formerly PPC-compatible apps (like iPhoto) still work on PPC-based Macs or is it all-Intel now?



    Update: Nevermind. They just put up the product page. According to the system requirements (http://www.apple.com/ilife/systemrequirements.html), Mac OS X 10.6.3 or late is required. Some features also require a dual-core processor.
  • Reply 14 of 65
    paxmanpaxman Posts: 4,729member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by AppleInsider View Post


    iMovie '11

    All new audio editing



    How many audio tracks? Also when will iLife be available - did he say?
  • Reply 15 of 65
    Looking forward to the new iMovie!!... not bad for $49 if you ask me.
  • Reply 16 of 65
    kibitzerkibitzer Posts: 1,114member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by paxman View Post


    How many audio tracks? Also when will iLife be available - did he say?



    Today. They're upgrading the online store at the moment. Would hope they'd offer a family pack for a quantity break, but haven't seen anything on that so far and Jobs didn't mention it.
  • Reply 17 of 65
    MacProMacPro Posts: 19,718member
    iWeb? No update...
  • Reply 18 of 65
    paxmanpaxman Posts: 4,729member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Kibitzer View Post


    Today. They're upgrading the online store at the moment. Would hope they'd offer a family pack for a quantity break, but haven't seen anything on that so far and Jobs didn't mention it.



    Well, he said you'd be able to run any app purchased through the app store on all your Macs. Great news for me.
  • Reply 19 of 65
    MacProMacPro Posts: 19,718member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by paxman View Post


    Well, he said you'd be able to run any app purchased through the app store on all your Macs. Great news for me.



    Yes i noticed that too ... so that's five Macs as in same as Family pack right? Apple always allowed use on a laptop and a MacPro for example but with some assumption it wasn't at the same time, this is new. I wonder if they will limit this to consumer apps. I doubt FCPro Studio is a one click purchase and usable on five Macs!
  • Reply 20 of 65
    MacProMacPro Posts: 19,718member
    Just ordered mine Shipping in 24 hours.
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