“When Apple releases new products, they’re often hailed as breakthroughs,” Jefferson Graham reports for USA Today. “But with the recent update of its beloved iMovie software, Apple finds itself in an unusual position: defense. Longtime iMovie fans aren’t happy.”
“Apple isn’t apologizing. It says it wants a new audience for iMovie and that the redesign had to happen. ‘The consumer video-editing industry is dying,’ says Rob Schoeben, Apple’s vice president of applications and product marketing. ‘It got crushed by digital photography,'” Graham reports.
Graham reports, “Most camcorder owners never bother with video editing. Yet they will use software programs such as Apple’s iPhoto to manage their pictures and growing collection of video clips from still cameras, Schoeben says. Apple was forced to do a ‘radical reinvention’ of iMovie to get its users to work with their video clips, he says. Schoeben believes video novices will find it easier to edit with iMovie and, thus, use the program more. ‘This may be controversial at first, but long term … we’ll be fine.’
Graham reports, “Schoeben says iMovie has more advanced features than many on the message boards realize. Apple just hasn’t done a good enough job of letting people know about them, he says. More tutorials will be posted online like the ones at http://www.apple.com/ilife/tutorials/#imovie
Much more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take by SteveJack: Longtime iMovie users aren’t happy, but average consumers should be ecstatic with the new iMovie ’08; it’s actually a triumph. Just so you know where I’m coming from, in addition to my brief bio below, I am a former 15+ year professional TV producer and video editor. Chances are good that you’ve seen something I’ve edited – most likely on a Mac-based Avid system costing over $100,000.
Schoeben’s right: people weren’t using iMovie because iMovie was too daunting (believe it or not). iMovie used to be and was designed to be a baby non-linear editor (NLE). I hated the thing personally and never used it, either. It was too “consumerish” in spots and too “pro” in others; in other words, a hodgepodge. I moved to Final Cut Pro long ago. What Apple has done with the new iMovie ’08 is what Apple typically does: shift the paradigm. In this case, they’ve done so radically and, in the process, revolutionized consumer editing. When all is said and done, iMovie ’08 will go down as an important transformative milestone in digital editing history.
Apple has shown the world the future and some people whine that they can’t sepia tone it.
It’s no surprise that longtime iMovie users are up in arms – hey, back in the TV stations and production houses where I worked, we used to complain when Avid moved one button or changed an icon with a new Media Composer version! We were used to the way things were, dammit, and didn’t want to change because it slowed us down – at first. With iMovie ’08, Apple has done more than move a button, they’ve blown up and the reassembled the entire app! They weren’t kidding with Think Different.
Longtime iMovie users will have to give the new iMovie a proper chance. I hope that with time, you’ll come to love it as I do. Some won’t and to those I say, it’s your loss. You are most likely already too advanced an editor for iMovie anyway (hint, hint: Final Cut Express – you’ll love it). New users or those that can adapt more quickly will find a fast, intuitive, easy-to-use video editing application in iMovie ’08.
iMovie was meant to be an editing application for beginning editors and camcorder users who wanted to quickly edit footage into shorter, more interesting finished products. iMovie ’08 finally achieves that vision.
Apple deserves credit for recognizing the problem and totally rethinking an application that relatively few of its target audience used. iMovie ’08 will bring video editing to many more people than previous versions, which was Apple’s goal all along.
While I’m disappointed that some iMovie users aren’t embracing change as readily as I believe Mac users should, I can empathize. You used to know how iMovie worked and now you don’t. The temptation to just give up and scream is very real, but change is hard and, in this case, it’s worth it. This whole brouhaha reminds me so much of the move from Mac OS 9 to Mac OS X!
iMovie ’08 does need some more effects and a fuller feature set, but the foundation Apple has now laid is very, very strong and I fully expect iMovie to evolve and get even better over time. Start working with it now for simple projects, so you’ll be ready for the next version of iMovie. I doubt future iMovie changes will ever be so radical – Apple’s on the right track now – we’ll just get more features, refinements, and capabilities, but the basic premise of editing will be what iMovie ’08 has now established.
In the meantime, iMovie ’06 HD is there for the taking (and maybe Apple can rework it, rename it, and find a place for it in their lineup between iMovie and Final Cut Express where it belongs). I recommend that longtime iMovie users take advantage and use both applications, but give iMovie ’08 a real chance. Watch the tutorials (http://www.apple.com/ilife/tutorials/#imovie) and put in the time; I know it hurts, but “no pain, no gain!” Properly used, iMovie ’08 can create excellent quality product. With a little less knee-jerk and a little more exploration, I think you’ll find that iMovie ’08 is a revelation.
SteveJack is a long-time Macintosh user, web designer, multimedia producer and a regular contributor to the MacDailyNews Opinion section.
Having used iMovie06, FCE and FCP I always thought that the feature coverage and upgrade path was disconnected and that not enough attention was paid to real beginners.
iMovie 08 addresses that by repositioning, now I think we can expect a similar repositioning of both FCE and FCP. Maybe a price reduction of FCE and the continuation of more professional options arriving in FCP.
As for all the naysayers, if you don’t like it for the very low cost it is, then write your own. In the past when people have sincerely believed that a manufacturer is not doing it right they do it themselves. If such people are correct then their products as alternatives are successful. Many a major corporation was begun in response to user disatisfaction.
On the other hand, if you don’t like it then don’t use it. No-one says you have to upgrade. Just because BMW brings out a later version of the car you drive does not mean you have to rush off and get it, in fact anyone who does without a clear need to do so is a fool and like all such is soon parted from their readies.
It really annoys me the way so many people feel that just because software is so intangible the users should be entitled to free or almost free upgrades for life. As if the fact it is not some piece of conventionally manufactured goods like a TV set somehow makes it easier. I have developed over 21 applications of the years and I can assure you that the maintenance and upgrade experience has real pain in it. No way I’ll give it away and if you expect something for nothing you can naff off.
Get a life people. More than 50% of purchasers in an Apple store are new to the platform. iMovie08 is an easier introduction to movie editing than iMovie06 then when more capabilities become important an upgrade path to FCE or its replacement makes more sense. In the mean time if existing users prefer using iMovie06 that is okay, just keep using it.
Mark me down as one of the folks irritated about feature loss. I honestly don’t see how removing the ability to edit your audio track(s) helps this product become more user-friendly. Also, they remove effects but keep transitions, which are just as easy to apply as effects?
They’ve effectively sucked us in for years by providing an essentially free application that allows us to produce high-quality video. They’ve always touted this and as a former Apple retail employee, I’ve always touted it. It was one of my biggest deal makers when it came to selling macs. Now we have an app that essentially lets you slap together some video clips that may or may not have some standard transitions and an audio track that’s either musical or native. Unless someone can show me otherwise, I’m not seeing any way to actually place the audio in my movie.
I’m a self-professed Apple idiot. I’ve spent an obscene amount of money on Apple product in the past 4 years. I’m always willing to plunk down some cash for something new and innovative. Now I’m going to have to eventually plunk down a sizable amount of cash for FCE once support for iMovie 6 dies or I see some great new innovation in FCE that should have probably been in iMovie 9. For crying out loud, does Apple really need to boost another revenue stream that bad?
@Branded
Please buy a Windows machine if you are so unhappy.
Then you can pay MicroSoft’s upgrade prices.
Holy shit, there are some scary folks on this post. One cross word about Apple and you go apeshit. Bashing 25 year loyal Apple users like they are garbage just because they disagree with the approach Apple has taken on iMovie. Let me ask you, will you toss your grandparents out the back of the bus because they’re old and not bringing much income in anymore?
This groupthink about iMovie reminds me of the Lord of the Flies. You’re like the band of savages led by Jack and Roger that take over the island. Bizarre anti-social behavior and you seem to be proud of it.
Now I understand how extreme elements in the Christian and Muslim worlds have been so successful in recruiting new zombie converts.
I think I’ll go look for a news site where adults post. I know, it will be hard to find.
Can you move back and forth from iMovie 08 too iMovie 06 HD ? Or is this like a Microsoft upgrade, you can’t go back?
iMovie 06 HD installer says I must have 08 installed, so I am making a guess here and saying I can have both.
MW=which, like which is it 08 only, or both?
@Jump
I don’t think MDN were trying to tell you “what you want and don’t want”. Anyway, you unfortunately sound like the sort of person who doesn’t listen (and maybe doesn’t read in this case).
You’ve got iMovie ’06 for the time being. It’s probably unrealistic to expect Apple to maintain and develop (i) Final Cut Pro & Express, (ii) iMovie ’08 and (iii) iMovie ’06. Of course you could always buy Final Cut Express for $299 to future proof yourself and then you could have another good rant about the $220 hike from iLife at $79.
As a shareholder, I like to see Apple trying to meet the market demands as they perceive them while also maximising their profits from established products.
John
+++++
I LOVE the new iMovie, who has time to make a movie the old way.
Time will bring updates to 08 version
I found myself using Magic Movie all the time because I did not want to spend time on it.
The new iMovie is what it should have always been. I think it takes cojones though to remove features from an app. I do believe though that I’ll use iMovie more now. I think Apple nailed it, unfortunately they left the former iMovie users out in the cold.
I can throw home movies together so much faster now I am willing to take the trade off of ease of use, quickness and a few effects and transitions. I never used them anyway.
“I think Apple nailed it, unfortunately they left the former iMovie users out in the cold.”
How? By providing iMovie ’06 for free download and also preserving it on their hard drives during the iMovie ’08 install?
Apple has gone out of their way to accommodate closed-minded fools who can’t spend 15-minutes with a new app in order to realize that familiar doesn’t mean better.
“Apple has shown the world the future and some people whine that they can’t sepia tone it.” – SteveJack
Brilliant writing! Absolutely brilliant! And dead on target.
“While I’m disappointed that some iMovie users aren’t embracing change as readily as I believe Mac users should, I can empathize. You used to know how iMovie worked and now you don’t. The temptation to just give up and scream is very real, but change is hard and, in this case, it’s worth it. This whole brouhaha reminds me so much of the move from Mac OS 9 to Mac OS X!”
===========================================
Mr. “I’m really the complete staff here at MDN with two first names”,
Yours is one of the most moronic and condescending paragraphs I have ever seen.
“The temptation to just give up and scream is very real”.
You know, that’s just precious. Yes, we’re all just going to drop down on our little petticoats and have a good cry because Apple introduced a redesigned iMovie. We’ve been using Macs for 20 years, but we can’t handle change. How are we ever going to figure out this new iMovie? Oh woe is me!
Listen Billy Jack, I have transitioned through OS 6, OS 7, OS 8, OS 9 and OS X on the Mac platform, not to mentions 3.1, 95, 98, NT, and XP on the Windows side (for work). I have used countless software titles though even more iterations of that software, and you have the unmitigated gall to accuse me and many others of being averse to change. Let me ask you: Are you trying to drive away readership? Because I’m tired of your veiled insults, and I am ready to take my page hits and eyeballs elsewhere.
For the record, I absolutely couldn’t wait to migrate to the OS X platform, but I disagree with the direction Apple has taken on iMovie. I don’t believe iMovie 08 is all bad, but it’s not all good either.
Just found something interesting. If you go into the iMovie ’08 preferences there’s a advanced mode you can turn on. It doesn’t change much. It justs adds some buttons. But this may be a sign of things to come becuase I’ve never seen Apple add an advance mode in any of their apps before.
Live long and prosper,
Steve Jack – iMovie Apologist – changing spin as quickly as his socks …
iMovie ’08 is not ready for prime-time – it lacks features readily available in the previous iMovie period.
As much as you try to paint yourself as a credible voice, you come off as a lemming who will accept whatever Apple shoves down your throat.
When the other iLife Apps get too close to the pro-apps we’ll see the same thing happen.
If you enjoy being patronised and spoken to like an idiot you’ll love the new Apple attitude. Think dumber!
I guess your movies are all called “My Great Movie” titles #1 – #100.
OK, so I picked up iLife ’08 about 3 hours ago, just to see what all of the fuss was about. I’ve been an iMovie user since the beginning, and just as a test I took some raw footage and made movies in both iMovie ’06 and iMovie ’08, same length, same fx and transitions, same titles. It took me less than half the time to make the same movie in iMovie ’08 as it did in iMovie ’06. I think iMovie is fabulous for what it does, and will go a long way to make the Mac more interesting to those who wouldn’t have otherwise given it a thought. To those who are whining about about iMovie ’08 so-called shortcomings; please get over yourselves. ’06 is still around, so you miss absolutely nothing. The complainers actually sound like they’re somehow suffering from Digital Penis Envy, because the fact is that iMovie ’08 actually does many things a lot better than iMovie ’06, especially previewing footage, which is IMHO the single most important part of any video app, consumer or pro. Apple is definately going in the right direction with ’08, and SteveJack is 100% right in his assessment.
IF a new product was so sorely needed, then they should have given it a new name, not iMovie 08. Everyone seeing that name would assume that 08 is an upgrade to the existing 06 product. THAT IS A LOGICAL ASSUMPTION.
By the way, I am sure MDN loved the Emperor’s new clothes!
I think it’s very interesting that for this article, MDN refused to publish their own take but the take of one of its contributors. Beddy beddy intedesting….
I don’t care if Apple includes the new iMovie, so long as I can still download iMovie HD 6 off of the website. As long as that’s still offered… I’m happy.
I’m curious. I have a question for all the iMovie ’08 haters here in the MDN comments. Do you hate iMovie ’08 becuase of:
1. The new way of making movies were you use iMovie to organize your videos instead of the Finder or iPhoto?
2. The lack of effects, themes and a few other minor things?
3. Or both?
Live long and prosper,
we know its you — you still suck
it was never your name just your thoughts and that damn link you posted for months
Spock said: “I’m curious. I have a question for all the iMovie ’08 haters here in the MDN comments. Do you hate iMovie ’08 becuase of:
1. The new way of making movies were you use iMovie to organize your videos instead of the Finder or iPhoto?
2. The lack of effects, themes and a few other minor things?
3. Or both?
Live long and prosper,”
==================================
I for one am not an iMovie 08 hater, I am just disappointed in the lack of basic features.
Question 1 – That sounds great to me. I welcome new ways of organizing video content.
Question 2 – Yes, this is where disappointment sets in. Lack of timeline, themes, special effects including third party plug-ins, limited audio editing capability.
On another post, you pointed out there is an advanced mode available in iMovie 08. I think that’s the best compromise available: Launch iMovie 08 in novice mode, but have an advanced mode that gives basic editing capabilities back to users. The best of both worlds.
I believe having two different iMovies floating around on OS X is a kludgy solution at best.
P.S. Spock, I appreciate your mature and civil tone. It’s a rare thing here on MDN.
solid,
“Apple has shown the world the future and some people whine that they can’t sepia tone it.”
Just to throw my $.02 in here.
I am an animator and have edited numerous shows using FCP and Avid Media Composer, however when it came to my home videos I rarely edited them. Why? Because for home video even the old iMovie was a pain. I want quick and easy for most of my home stuff. I don’t need to spend 3 hours cutting selects for my kids birthday video.
’08 lets everyone cut together something very quickly with little to no hassle… THAT is the point of ’08.
I have already used it to make 3 videos where previously I would have made none so in my book that is a win for Apple.
As I’ve suggested, if iMovie ’08 were called iVideo, and released alongside iMovie HD (06) as a new iLife application, it would have prevented this whole fiasco. Even if support for iMovie HD was ultimately ended as iVideo matured and took over it’s functions.
What Apple has done is the same concept, only less elegantly, and that’s what’s gotten the userbase in an uproar.
I look forward to the day when ’08 matches ’06 in terms of functionality. If anything good is going to come of this, hopefully it is that Apple will focus on upgrading ’08 a little faster than they would have otherwise.
I really wish morons like SteveJack-off would stop suggesting Final Cut Express to us longtime iMovie lovers. The two programs are not even close. I am an “advanced” iMovie HD user, and I tried to upgrade to FCE and hated it. iMovie HD is a near-perfect combination of ease and power (and, yes, you smug b**tards, I will keep using it).
Besides, FCE costs $300. I’m not saying it’s a bad deal, but it’s a bad deal if you don’t need or want a $300 video editing package.
The thing that amazes me most about this fiasco, is that these same idiots that are arrogantly suggesting “you are just spoiled, go out and pay $300 for FCE and like it” are the same people that rage and howl when Microsoft does anything like this (e.g. cripple cheaper versions of Windows).
The double standard is embarrassing to other Mac users.
what was that quote?
“iMovie was meant to be an editing application for beginning editors and camcorder users who wanted to quickly edit footage into shorter, more interesting finished products. iMovie ’08 finally achieves that vision.”
Exactly!!!
If iMovie is meant for beginners, then it will never be updated with the features of iMovie 06. After all, that’s why they cut those features in the first place, to make it easier to use, right? If Apple does intend on including those features in the future, then that means they put out a lousy piece of software before it was ready, a very un-Apple thing to do. In either case, Apple fans have a right to be upset, and the MDN spin is just pathetic. They don’t complain about iTunes being too complex for a free program do they?