Apple Updates iMovie to Version 10.0; Here's What's New

Along with iPads, MacBooks, and Mac Pros, Apple released quite a lot of software yesterday. Surprisingly, most of it is free. If you're a Mac user, update your operating system to the new OS X Mavericks (OS X 10.9). Then, if you have a previous version of iMovie -- and you probably do, since it comes free with new Macs -- open the App Store and click on the Updates tab to get the newest version.

The new iMovie, version 10.0, is still mostly geared for people who want to use the trailer template to instantly turn home movies into faux movie trailers. However, editors who prefer a simple video editor will find things to like.

Improvements include a new interface designed for simplicity, an Adjustment Bar that offers quick audio and video editing tools, and a new Plus button that lets editors ad more clips to their project. Since iMovie is all about simplicity, Apple added one-click enhance for video and audio. Apple has also made it easy to create picture-in-picture and green screen videos.

All that redesigning does mean that iMovie's interface has been changed quite a bit, so it'll take a minute to learn. Luckily, it'll only take a minute. There's really not that much to it. It feels a bit more like iPhoto now and it's targeted at people who don't know video editing. In no time you'll find your way around just fine.

The new ability to match the color between to clips is handy and unexpected. Apple has improved the already strong image stabilization (no more shaky footage) and added the ability to create Ken Burns effects on panorama photos.

Editors working on corporate videos will like how easy it is to email video clips and projects, or to change the speed of the video they're editing.

The iMovie iOS app has also been updated, for those who need to work on projects on-the-go. It now offers picture-in-picture and green screen tools, which is pretty advanced for a mobile app.

For many creating business video, the simplest tools are the best. The new iMovie shows that simple tools can be both easy-to-use and surprisingly effective.

Troy Dreier's article first appeared on OnlineVideo.net