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Adobe tries discounts to woo Final Cut Pro ranters

Adobe Systems has fired another shot over Apple's bow.

The company today announced its Switcher Program, which will allow people who have purchased any version of Apple's Final Cut Pro (or Avid Media Composer) to receive a 50 percent discount on Creative Suite CS 5.5 Production Premium or Premiere Pro CS 5.5.

"We're hearing from video professionals that they want pro level tools that address cutting edge work but also allow them to use legacy footage and workflows," Jim Guerard, general manager and vice president of professional video and audio at Adobe, said … Read more

Reviewed: Final Cut Pro X

As many probably know, Final Cut Pro X--Apple's professional video-editing software--was recently released to mixed reviews.

For our CNET review of Apple's Final Cut Pro X, we decided to try something different. Normally our Download.com staff reviews software from a consumer perspective. This time, we called in a pro user from our offices in New York. Our very own Wilson G. Tang is a CNET and CBS producer, who has directed, shot, and edited award-winning pieces. He also hosts a daily technology and culture show on CNET called The 404. As a video and film professional, he … Read more

Final Cut Pro X

Editors' note (September 20, 2011): Apple has released a major software update to Final Cut Pro X. Additional features added include support for XML, custom starting time codes, Xsan event and project compatibility, support for media stems/audio channeling, full-screen view toggle for Lion users, and GPU acceleration.

The bottom line: Final Cut Pro X is truly a dramatic rewrite of Apple's mature and well-developed video-editing software. It borrows some interface elements from iMovie that may disappoint seasoned professionals, and also it loses many key features that are simply an absolute necessity in the professional world, like XML export. … Read more

Buzz Out Loud 1502: Skype will spy on you (Podcast)

Microsoft patents spy tech for Skype which allow users to listen in on private Skype conversations. This does not sound good as our privacy on the internet becomes less and less private. Google's social media site Google Plus begins with little fan fair hoping to cause a mass migration from Facebook. And a clever Foursquare hack turns New York City Into a giant game of Risk!

Apple posts Final Cut FAQ, says features to return

Apple last night posted a frequently asked questions page about Final Cut Pro X, a product it released this past week that has since gone on to become an item of controversy among long-time Final Cut users.

"Final Cut Pro X is a breakthrough in nonlinear video editing. The application has impressed many pro editors, and it has also generated a lot of discussion in the pro video community," the FAQ reads. "We know people have questions about the new features in Final Cut Pro X and how it compares with previous versions of Final Cut Pro. … Read more

Apple issuing refunds to some Final Cut Pro X users

Apple has an "all sales and rentals of products are final" rule as part of its iTunes and App Store policy, but it appears the company is quietly making an exception for its new $299 video-editing software.

A number of users in an Apple support discussions thread are reporting success in getting a refund on their purchase of Final Cut Pro X after writing in to complain that the software did not meet their expectations, The Next Web reported today.

Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether this is a blanket exception to … Read more

Petition seeks to bring back old Final Cut Pro

A new petition making the rounds says that Apple's latest professional video editing software is not as professional as the company makes it out to be, and that Apple should bring back the old version instead.

The petition, called "Final Cut Pro X is Not a Professional Application," was first penned on Saturday night after several users got together on Apple's support forums to complain about Final Cut Pro X. Petition creator Andrew Landini, who's been a professional Final Cut user for the past eight years, told CNET that his three-year-old Apple account was banned … Read more

The 404 848: Where Jeff's still walking down 5th Avenue (podcast)

In the words of Governor Andrew Cuomo, we're all proud to be New Yorkers, but we reached a new level of social justice this weekend with the vote to legalize same-sex marriage. Indeed, Jeff may still be celebrating on 5th Avenue today following yesterday's gay pride parade.

We invite our old friend and colleague Joseph Kaminski, aka Ozone, to fill in as we chat about LGBT rights, Pixar's "Cars 2," a Black Eyed Peas video game from Ubisoft, and a lightbulb that can also transmit wireless audio to any room in your house.

The 404 Digest for Episode 848

Comparing news headlines: New York Post vs. New York Daily News. Google shuts down Health and PowerMeter. Your TV set-top box might cost you more on your energy bills than your refrigerator. Put your DVR on an energy diet. Black Eyed Peas finally get their own video game. New lightbulb carries wireless audio.

Episode 848 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

Conan O'Brien rips Apple's Final Cut Pro X on show

Late-night talk show host Conan O'Brien took time out of his show Thursday to take a crack at Apple's latest video-editing software, which the company released on Tuesday.

"Apple just released a new version of their famous editing software Final Cut Pro, but apparently it's so different from the last version of Final Cut, video and film editors all over Hollywood are having a hard time adjusting to it," O'Brien said. "Well our editors here at 'Conan' are some of the best in the business. They actually like the new software, in fact … Read more

This Day in Tech: Apple patents touch screens; Hulu acquisition rumors

Too busy to keep up with the tech news? Here are some of the more interesting stories from CNET for Wednesday, June 22.

Ford, Nuance: Voice recognition will identify intent The Sync system could ultimately interpret what drivers are looking to do by understanding the meaning of words and phrases they say and then coaching them to correctly complete tasks. More

Apple scores broad patent on touch screens Patent describes how a touch screen is used to interact with contents on a display. And given Apple's recent history with patent lawsuits, it could prove to be another tool in … Read more