It's been 13 years since Apple introduced Final Cut Pro X, marking just over half the software’s 25-year journey, which celebrated its anniversary in April. In the fast-paced world of consumer software, some wondered if Apple had quietly moved on from Final Cut Pro.
After years of anticipation, Final Cut Pro has finally been updated to version 11, with the software now available for download starting Wednesday. Existing users can upgrade for free, while new customers can purchase it for $300 on the Mac App Store after a 90-day trial.
So, why the leap to version 11 now? The answer lies in AI. Following recent updates that integrated Apple Intelligence into iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, Apple is harnessing AI to introduce new features. One key addition is Magnetic Mask, which enables easy cropping of people and objects without needing a green screen.
“This powerful and precise automatic analysis provides extra flexibility for customizing backgrounds and environments,” Apple notes, highlighting that editors can also use Magnetic Mask with color correction and effects, giving them more control over each project.
Another prominent AI feature is Transcribe to Captions, which generates captions directly on Final Cut’s timeline. This feature is powered by Apple’s own large language model (LLM).
Another significant addition is geared towards Apple’s mixed-reality headset. After introducing Spatial Video capture on the latest iPhones, users can now edit that content in Final Cut. The software allows for color correction, effects, and depth adjustments in titles.
While Apple’s $3,500 Vision Pro headset hasn’t yet reached mainstream popularity, the company is reportedly working on a more affordable version. The Vision Pro, along with the iPhone 15 Pro and upcoming iPhone 16 models, will support capturing Spatial video, and Canon has also introduced a dual-lens accessory for R7 cameras.
Version 11 also brings time-saving improvements, like the Magnetic Timeline, which enables rapid clip rearrangement while maintaining audio sync.
Final Cut Pro 11 is specifically designed for Apple’s M-series chips, supporting playback of multiple simultaneous 4K and 8K ProRes video streams.
Additionally, Apple is launching Final Cut Pro for iPad 2.1, featuring enhanced touch-based controls for light and color, along with an improved workflow. This update is also available starting Wednesday as a free download for current users.
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