In a somewhat unusual move (I don’t think we have seen this before), Apple released a video highlighting the features of Final Cut Pro 10.8. The video highlights several “AI tools” (an area where Apple has been considered to be behind the curve for a while), a new tracker, better asset management functions, and more. Apple recently released version 10.8 of Final Cut Pro for Mac, introducing several new features and AI-powered tools. This update focuses on enhancing color correction, slow-motion effects, and workflow efficiency, highlighted in the following video. Read below for the major feature additions mentioned.Apple Final Cut Pro 10.8 new feature highlightsEnhance Light and Color: An AI-driven tool that automatically adjusts color and lighting in footage. It can be used as a one-click solution or as a starting point for manual adjustments.Smooth Slo-Mo: A new algorithm for creating slow-motion effects designed to produce higher quality results than previous methods.Object Tracker: Allows users to attach titles or effects to moving objects or faces in a video, with automatic tracking.Voice Isolation: Uses AI to enhance speech by reducing background noise and adjusting audio levels.Smart Conform: Automatically reframes footage for vertical or square social media formats using machine learning.Enhanced Timeline Index: Improved search functionality for identifying clips with specific attributes such as missing media, applied effects, or duplicate shots.Improved Text Search: Allows users to find specific scenes, camera angles, effect names, or custom metadata more efficiently.Effect Management: Users can now rename color corrections and video effects applied to clips and drag these effects between clips in the timeline.Apple says all new features are optimized for Apple silicon, promising improved performance when working with 4K and 8K ProRes footage, including faster playback, effect application, and export times.The “smooth slo-mo” feature does a better job of interpolating frames for increased slow-motion effects. Image credit: AppleIs it enough to move people away from DaVinci Resolve?While these additions appear promising, their effectiveness in professional workflows remains to be tested. The integration of AI in video editing software raises questions about the balance between automation and creative control, as well as the accuracy of AI-driven adjustments compared to manual editing.As with any software update, the true value of these new features will be determined by user experiences in real-world editing scenarios. Professionals and enthusiasts alike will need to evaluate how these tools fit into their existing workflows and whether they genuinely enhance productivity and creative output.It also remains to be seen if this is enough to sway people away from the mostly free DaVinci Resolve Suite, which has just been updated to its final 19 release (head over to the article in case you missed it).90-day free trial availableFinal Cut Pro is $299, and the license works indefinitely—at least so far. Apple has never charged for an update since it was introduced over 10 years ago. There is also a 90-day free trial available.Final Cut Pro for iPad 2 reviewIn case you missed it, I recently reviewed the live multicam feature for Final Cut Pro for iPad 2 (this is a separate version of the software and lacks many of the Mac version’s features, whereas it features some others).What do you think about the latest iteration of Final Cut Pro, version 10.8? Let us know in the comments below.
