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Pro vs. Joe: Why Apple Dumbed Down iMovie ‘08.
I’ve had two days of iLife ‘08 and I’ve developed a few iOpinions, especially about iWeb, iPhoto, and very especially the new iMovie.
The most glaring issue is that Apple is purposely keeping the iLife applications dumbed down so they can upgrade users to the Pro apps.
So, you say, “That’s a heady statement, Kate. What do you have to back it up?” Take iMovie ‘08. Please.
I’m one of those who liked using the old iMovie HD ‘06 version. iMovie is not Final Cut Express or Final Cut Pro, but it was a very decent video editor with plenty of capability built-in—enough so that I didn’t bother to spend money on Apple’s pro video package.
iMove HD had all the basics. Video timeline. Audio timeline. Clip bin. Easy import. Easy export.
What iMove HD lacked was a way to manage video clips and projects, and an easy way to sort through clips for scenes. The new iMovie ‘08 takes care of that shortcoming with exactly what the old version lacked. Managing clips and movies and projects is easier in iMovie ‘08.
But that’s it for me. The problem is that the rest of iMovie ‘08 is aimed at video neophytes; those who wouldn’t know a video and audio timeline from the various and sundry versions of Windows Vista (you need a scorecard or program for that effort).
During the presentation of the new iLife, Steve Jobs mentioned that one of their software engineers couldn’t put together a video of a recent vacation, so he decided to create a new iMovie that would make video creation faster, easier, etc. Blah, blah, blah, and more PR speak.
How hard was it to put together a movie in the old iMovie? The guy must be living waaaaay too deep in ones and zeros if he couldn’t figure out iMovie HD ‘06 and create a movie in minutes.
Import video, select clips, drag clips to timeline, add transitions and text and effects to clips. Export. Damn. That was hard, huh? And it was done on an easy to figure out timeline metaphor.
The new iMovie ‘08 is missing that level of simplicity and replaced it with even more simplicity—making the end result more difficult for former users of iMovie. I’m not sure that new users to iMovie will find the ‘08 version any easier.
Gone is the iMovie timeline. Gone is handy transport control access. New are all kinds of buttons that only newbies will love. Apple has dumbed down iMovie ‘08.
Why did Apple do this? It was not to create a video editing tool that could create a movie in minutes. iMovie HD could do that. Apple is focusing on the masses and that means keeping it simple. Dumbed down simple.
You see the same approach in iPhoto and iWeb, especially the latter, which, while looking great just try building a web site using it. You’ll love the look, then get tired of the limitations.
GarageBand is a bit different since audio quality will be the same whether using SoundTrack Pro, Logic, or GarageBand. Only the capabilities are dumbed down in GarageBand.
iMovie is the worst offender because the previous version was a joy to use. Apple blatantly segregates applications by Pro user vs. Average Joe (or, Jolene) user. For those of us who find the “free” applications somewhat limiting and perhaps a bit sophomoric, Apple has Pro apps waiting around—for a price.
Don’t like the limitations in iPhoto? Go with Aperture for a mere $300. Don’t like the limitations in iMovie? Go with FinalCut Express HD for a mere $300.
See how that works? It’s almost as if Apple has become the techno gadget drug dealer with free samples of media coolness. Once you’re hooked, the price goes up.
By the way, Mac360 gives daily Mac updates on Twitter. If you Twitter, give Mac360 a tweet. One more thing. Only the best Mac software gets reviewed on Ron's NoodleMac site. Check it out.
Off Topic Note: Guess what? Former Mac360 writer Kate Mac is back online after dumping Windows and re-embracing the Mac. Again.
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I totally agree. This weekend I tried to make a movie with imovie 08 and found out it has less features than imovie 06. I could not speed up the video with the new one. I really think apple did a bad job in this upgrade. It actually lost features. How is that better. I think the person who could not use imovie 06 should of not been made an example, but fired on the spot. Come on you work for apple and can not use imovie, but middle schoolers and first time computer users can. They should of made a new one that had all the same features as the old one with the new features of the new one. I actually find the new one when I first used it to be harder to use not easier. So I think a first time person would not be able to create a video in minutes with the new one. Apple you let me down for the first time!!!
Sorry guys… Not buying it. Bottom line, Kate nailed it. The issue is FUNCTIONALITY. I get that Apple was trying to put out a version of iMovie that a hamster could use, and a retarded hamster at that.
Fair enough.
But COME ON! Look at all the functions that were left off. This is NOT about “comfort zones” and “hissy fits.” I can deal with new interfaces and the like. No problem. But this? It’s like I’ve been driving a car for years, and suddenly someone is trying to sell me a bicycle as an upgrade. True, it is simpler to use, and more widely accessible to the general public, but… well you get the idea.
The bottom line: An upgrade should be an UPGRADE. iMovie 08 is NOT.
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