Final Cut Studio 5.1 - Universal Binary Released

[amccabe]

Apple quietly released the universal binary version of Final Cut Studio today. The production suite includes Final Cut 5, DVD Studio Pro 4, Motion 2, and Soundtrack Pro.

The Universal binary version runs native on both the new Intel Macs and the PowerPC Macs. This is important because prior to this version, Intel Mac users have had to run Rosetta - emulation software - to use Final Cut Studio.

I had read that Apple was releasing the studio at NAB in April. And I am wondering what Apple will release April 1 on their 30th anniversary.

[dcv]

I'm hoping for a cheap intel iBook/MacBook on April 1.

I've also read rumors that Apple will release a "true" video iPod, where the whole thing is a giant touchscreen.

[lnp]

I've read those rumors too, but I see true user interface integration being a problem.

As far as what will apple pull out? I definitely see the Macbook being thrown out there given that they could fit it into a mini already. The real sticking question is for the power video/large photo users and what Apple is going to offer them. The high end software co's are still playing catch up to get universal and its rumored that Adobe won't release a universal photoshop until '07. But after the letdown that was the town hall meeting they need to pull something awesome and I think that given the importance of the date, it'll happen.

[dcv]

I think (though I'm far from a market analyst - just an overly optomistic college student) that Apple's waiting on Intel to deliver their Conroe chip to update the PowerMacs (Apparently, a Conroe running at 2.66 GHz wiped the floor clean with an AMD Athlon FX60 overclocked to 2.8 GHz - http://www.anandtech.com/tradeshows/showdoc.aspx?i=2713 ). I'd say that if Conroe is as powerful as Intel is claiming, Apple would be right to wait on releasing their power-focused machines.

I also think that Apple's focus is now really on consumer products and not professionals (at least as far as public spectacles goes) - thinking back to last year, I remember Jobs speaking when he introduced the Mac Mini and iPod Shuffle, the iPod Nano, and the Front-Row iMac and Video iPod - but he didn't speak when the Quad-Core G5 was released. I don't think Pros are going to be getting any Intel Mac love until later this year, after the rest of the Apple line has made its transition.

It's probably best this way, since (unless the only pro apps you use come from Apple) an Intel Mac won't run most of the software you need yet - like Lars said, Adobe's not doing Universal Photoshop until they release CS3 in 2007.

[amccabe]

no new stuff :(

but I read that the video iPod, Intel iBook, and new Mac Book Pros are not far off