After a 13-year wait since Final Cut Pro X, Apple has released Final Cut Pro 11, the latest version of its video editing software. The update, launched Wednesday, brings significant advancements to the platform, particularly through AI-powered features. While existing users can upgrade to Final Cut Pro 11 at no extra cost, new customers can purchase it for $300 on the Mac App Store, with a 90-day trial period available.
The key enhancement in Final Cut Pro 11 is Apple’s integration of AI technology, marking a major upgrade after Apple recently introduced “Apple Intelligence” features across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. AI now powers several features in Final Cut Pro, most notably Magnetic Mask and Transcribe to Captions.
Magnetic Mask allows editors to isolate people and objects in video clips without needing a green screen, streamlining background adjustments and environment customization. This feature also combines seamlessly with color correction and other video effects, allowing editors to enhance the look of each project with precise control.
Transcribe to Captions is another AI-driven tool that automatically generates captions, placing text directly on Final Cut’s timeline. This feature is powered by an in-house large language model (LLM), enhancing accessibility and saving time on captioning tasks.
Apple has also added functionality geared toward its mixed-reality headset, the Vision Pro. The latest iPhones can now capture Spatial Video, which Final Cut Pro 11 can edit, color correct, and apply effects to, even adjusting title placements in a 3D space. While Apple’s $3,500 Vision Pro headset has yet to achieve mainstream popularity, a more affordable version is reportedly in development. Spatial video capture is available on the Vision Pro, iPhone 15 Pro, and upcoming iPhone 16 models, with Canon offering a dual-lens accessory for compatible cameras.
Final Cut Pro 11 also introduces Magnetic Timeline, a feature designed to simplify video editing by enabling users to quickly rearrange clips while maintaining audio sync. Additionally, this version is optimized for Apple’s M-series chips, allowing smoother playback of multiple 4K and 8K ProRes video streams simultaneously.
Alongside the Pro 11 update, Apple has released an updated Final Cut Pro for iPad (version 2.1), which includes enhanced touch-based controls for light and color, improving the overall editing workflow on the tablet.
These updates represent a major step forward for Final Cut Pro, combining the power of AI with advanced editing capabilities tailored for Apple’s hardware.
