“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.
No FCE for me,
Apple did not “cripple” iMovie.
iMovie ’08 is a massive advance.
As SteveJack so clearly suggested, maybe Apple can rework iMovie ’06 HD, rename it, and find a place for it in their lineup between iMovie and Final Cut Express where it belongs.
“You don’t need to love everything about iMovie ’08 but most you haters act like Apple drop kicked your dog into freeway traffic. “
there is the real problem. people can talk about time lines and pro apps and paradigm shifts all they want, there are only 2 factors that matter here.
1. feature loss. even if i edit sound in GB, and i am fine with that, too many features i enjoy disappeared. i hope they come back in updates or a future release.
2. overreaction. yes, i do like the 06 features more, but i like the 08 style more. there are things to discuss, yes, but what are most of these people freaking out about?
“we used to get software free!”
“Apple is like teh new microsoft!”
“where is my free pony!”
i swear i wish i knew what color the sky is where some of you live, cause you are NOT in the real world……
what was that other quote?
“This whole brouhaha reminds me so much of the move from Mac OS 9 to Mac OS X!”
Yes, in 2007, there are probably still a few “Don’t need no OS X, OS 9 is fine and dandy!!” grumbling holdouts,
but you can’t fight the future, so embrace it.
With Apple, it’s great!
Gotta Love the Truth: Sorry, I can’t stand sepia tone.
yeah, the whining people are probably the same ones who, complain the have a suck ass job, but never get an education to move forward and get a better job. It happens ALL the time.
Apple employee: “Can I assist you?”
Schmuck: ” Yes, I use imovie ’06, and I want to be a better editor”
Apple employee: “Well you can upgrade to Final Cut Express, and we have extensive training material, even classes!”
Schmuck: “Haha, no, I actually don’t want to invest in better software or training, I simply want to BE better”
Apple employee: (dumbfounded look) “Huh? . . . SECURITY!!!”
I’m I the only one who feels that iDVD is approching “End of Life” status. iMovie doesn’t have the send to iDVD button anymore. Apple’s obvisouly going to replace it with Web Gallery and iWeb. You would host it on Web Gallery and create a password protected site about the movies with some slideshows and just send the link to all your friends and family. Thats how I’m doing it.
Live long and prosper,
“Things are going well at the moment, but Apple is dangerously out of touch with its base, no matter their spin.”
I have to disagree. I think they are very much in touch. There were probably three types of iMovie folks, the average user who was overwhelmed, the intermediate user that moved up to FCE/FCP, and the intermediates that actually use the program. My guess is that Apple did not make this move until after doing lots of customer studies. They likely discovered two things, people that knew iMovie were moving up, and people that didn’t were intimidated. The result would be a rapidly shrinking user base and a demand for something easier. iMovie ’08 is just that.
If you take the time to watch the training videos, you will likely find it is a brilliant program. Add to that, the ability to publish to YouTube and you have a winner. As usual, Apple has added innovative ideas for working with media that should end up in the Pro Apps!
New application (nothing reflecting its predecessor) should have a new name…
<b>abcMovie</i>
I haven’t tried iMovie ’08 yet, but did try the old version years ago and have since moved onto FCP. I can certainly understand the consternation of long time iMovie users over the features that have been lost (but of course they haven’t really been lost because you presumably still have iMovie 06, or can get it), but could you ratchet down the heat of your rhetoric?
The accusation that Apple is “sticking it” to their customers for Greed’s sake is the charge I find most ludicrous. Which do you think would cost Apple more to accomplish: move a couple of FC Express features over to iMovie to beef it up, or write and entirely new piece of software from the ground up. Please… Apple developed the new iM08 because they thought they had a new and better way to approach the task. Obviously Apple has invested more to bring out this new software than to amend the old iMovie.
I’ve been editing in FC for about 5 years, and though I know iMovie’s new limitations will frustrate me in some areas, I like what I see in many respects. It may need some maturation, but I think Apple is on to something with this new methodology. I for one am very excited to have a new method for dealing with basic family home movies that I just want to edit down and archive without making a big production. I don’t need a timeline for that sort of work.
(oops!)
abcMovie
I think Apple should have 1) told people this was coming and 2) assured them that iMovie6 will work on Leopard. If they had done these two things, the outcry would have been reduced immeasurably. That they didn’t feel the need to do this does reflect a growing sense of corporate hubris, I’m afraid.
Maybe we need to add Apple to our prayer lists.
Question: Editing video from digital cameras in iMovie ’07 requires transcoding with MPEG Streamclip (free from Apple) to separate the audio from the video. Does iMovie ’08 require transcoding?
The tutorial video implies that digital camera videos work seamlessly from iPhoto.
Thanks.
Why not have the option of both 06 and 08 functions in one app with 08 being the “simple finder” option of iMovie.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.4/en/mh1085.html
Fine! Just give me a time line option and I’ll stop bitching about it.
Oh yeah, and make it work on my duel 1.0 G4
Final Cut Express is THE greatest software bargain in the history of computing. I’m using it professionally along with the (included) Soundtrack and Live Type to deliver in store billboards for a 140 store chain. Compare to apps costing 5 to 10 or more times the price…
Is it really necessary for the proponents of both sides of this argument, Apple supporters almost all of them, to insult each other just because they “think different”? And just think what it says about YOU when you describe someone else’s honest opinion as a whine.
I believe the rethink of the whole editing interface and file management in ’08 is fantastic and useful, and competitors will be scrabbling to copy it. I also think that the loss of essential amateur features like reasonable audio controls and frame accurate editing (to name but a few) is a symptom of the program being rushed out before it was finished. I look forward to these features being restored to the program sooner rather than later. At the moment it’s a great, easy to use video scrapbooking program. Hopefully it will soon become a great amateur video editing program that will put the ’06 version in the shade.
Apple has made iMovie ’08 so ‘idiot proof’ that only ‘idiots’ will use it.
Apple wants to screw all the non-idiots into buying Final Cut.
guess i’ll throw my 2 cents in for what it’s worth…
i haven’t tried imovie 08 yet – i don’t have a computer fast enough to use it. (low income college student = no g5 or better for me). from what i understand, it’s far simpler to figure out. i could see where existing imovie 06 users would be upset (i had no problem figuring out 06 myself, but that’s just me), but i get the feeling that people who aren’t very good with/ are intimidated by computers (my 58 year old mom is a great example) would feel more comfortable with a program in which there are less options and features to wade through.
imovie always seemed like the most complex program in ilife. even though i can use it with no problem, it does seem like, from the perspective of more technophobic people, it would be a bit difficult to use. one could make the argument that if someone just sat down and took the time to learn how to use it, they’d be fine. but many people don’t like the idea of “learning” computers. many mac users trumpet the simplicity of the platform as a major reason why macs are better, and imovie 08 would seem to compliment that level of simplicity better than 06 did. that said, i’d probably personally stick with 06, because i’m already familiar with it and have no problem working with it – i can see where all the angry people are coming from, but i’m not personally angry about it – imovie 06 didn’t stop being awesome or stop working when 08 came out, and 08 opens up video editing to a broader audience. i can see both sides of the argument here.
apologies for any spelling and grammar mistakes- i’m only on my first cup of coffee.
Question: To edit video from digital cameras in iMovie ’07, the video needs to be transcoded with MPEG Streamclip (free from Apple) to separate the audio and video. Does iMovie ’08 address this issue?
Thanks.
Apple is obviously scared. They saw the Windows Vista: Windows Movie Maker and got scared and tried to make a competing product. As evidence from the Apple fanbase confirm, Apple was wrong once again. Apple just can’t copy Windows like it used to.
Your potential. Our passion.™
Well… as usual, SJ is “skating to where the puck is going,” while all you whiners are–once again–skating to where it’s already been.
iMovie is where the puck is GOING, and has been going for some time now.
Our friend Steve has done what he’s been doing for years–simplifying. Think iPod, iMac, iPhone, even OS X. Steve Hates Buttons, and whether you think that’s a good approach or not, it certainly has worked. Yes, once again, by removing clutter, Steve & Co. are making a very safe bet: that their understanding of the User, and marketplace, is still right on the money.
Not only was the move to iMovie ’08 utterly predictable in light of their Apple’s recent successes (and SJ’s muse). iMovie ’08 is merely a reflection of the YouTube megatrend, which is now signaling the end of the MTV era. iMovie ’08 had to happen for Apple to retain dominance in this crucial space.
Since SJ’s return, Apple makes people want their stuff by making it as powerful as possible within the context of simplicity. And the target audience isn’t (yet) geeks and gamers; they’re after mom-n-pops, college kids, people who don’t have time (or the desire) to “study” their new computer before getting good use (and fun) out of it.
David (above) suggested Apple fix the iMovie mistake before half their user base is gone. Don’t be a ninny, David. Come back in two years, and you’ll see that iMovie has spread to a much wider audience than it enjoyed previously. Just like the iPod and the iMac, iMovie will have attracted millions of new Apple fans. So even if the current base of iMovie users may be cut in half, no one will miss them, least of all AAPL shareholders.
Besides, all those feeling left out now will move on sooner or later: they’ll either switch to Final Cut (and be much happier, BTW), or they’ll keep tinkering with iMovie ’06 until it breathes it’s last. Or, they can sit quietly while their fifth-grader makes the movies for them.
Yes…and if you check back on things, you will find that Apple (like most corporations) seldom, if ever, apologizes for any misstep/mistake they make. They can’t do it.
Remember the bruhaha over non-recordable CD drives in the iMac? And the Lisa?
iMovieHD wasn’t available for download from the get go of this little debacle, and the fact that it was made available afterwards at all is a perfect indicator that Apple realized they made a misstep. The speed with which it became available is a very good indicator that they had a suspicion iMovie 08 might not be positively received and wanted to be prepared for a negative response.
Case closed.
One look at the Superior Windows Vista: Windows Movie Maker and Apple got scared, trying to update their iMovie to compete. Unfortunately this time, Apple just couldn’t imitate Microsoft well enough this time.
Your potential. Our passion.™
Looks like MDN go their butts handed to them last week and needed Steve Jack to come to the rescue. Nice try, but I ain’t buying it.
What Apple should do is allow anyone who purchases iLife08 (or gets it on a new Mac) to get Final Cut Express at the upgrade Price:-)