I enjoy quickly putting together videos using my iPhone and occasionally an iPad. I often capture videos using Filmic Pro [1], ProCam 3 [2] or the built in iOS camera app. Sometimes I’ll add a few still images and a bit of music.
Two recent examples:
Turkeys, while cycling, and a Glorious Picnic Point Walk.
However, I’ve been surprised to learn that iMovie on iPhone or iPad lacks important features found on the Mac version.
I find this state of affairs rather surprising while Apple moves iOS upmarket via the new iPad Pro. To wit: Apple CEO Tim Cook at the September, 2015 iPad Pro introduction [3]:
“This is the clearest expression of our vision of the future of personal computing, a simple multitouch piece of glass that instantly transforms into anything you want it to be…”
One would think that iPad Pro’s iMovie would have feature parity, if not superiority over the Mac OS X version… Rather, the current iOS iMove app lacks:
1. White and color balance adjustments. The designers appear to believe that “filters are sufficient”. Occasionally useful, filters are no substitute for real white balance and color adjustments.
2. A deep and wide sound effect and theme music library. The mac version of iMovie includes an extensive sound library. The iOS version is unbearably thin.
Compare the screens:
Mac OS X iMovie
iMovie on iPad
iMovie on iPhone
Extra Credit for iMovie iOS developers:
3. Use the cloud…. iOS users should have access to a great set of royalty free music and video stock footage via iCloud. Apple might offer some interesting commercial tunes to Apple Music subscribers.
4. Think different about visual events. Rather than promoting oldster music in the worst way [4], why not embrace live events? I contemplated this opportunity while listening to Phox [5], after avoiding Melt Banana [6], at the inaugural Eaux Claires Festival [7].
Most “festival people” are too far from the stage to enjoy all aspects of a show – particularly when most venues lack live big screens. Why not expand iMovie so “festival people” can stream and share – p2p style – their experience, live. The band could place iPhones around the stage, near instruments and above the scene. Everything would be available and mixed. A true immersive experience.
The event and interactive views from all iOS users are archived locally and via iCloud.
Make it the best!
Links
[1] Filmic Pro.
[2] ProCam 3
[4] U2’s Bono issues apology for automatic Apple iTunes album download.
[5] Phox
[6] Melt Banana
[7] Eaux Claires
* “Hey Apple” is a play on iOS’s new “Hey Siri” prompt.
** Apple’s track record on sticking with more advanced vertical apps is not promising – see the Aperture debacle.
*** I’ve kept a log of iPhone camera progress: http://www.zmetro.com/i6s/