Rumor: Apple to release new Final Cut Studio this spring

Apple is rumored to be preparing for a spring release of Final Cut Studio 4, the latest version of its professional video-editing suite of applications for Macs. The rumor, from French Web site Hardmac, says the Final Cut Studio software should be announced in March or April of this year.

The rumor also states that the update may not be what many of Final Cut Studio's longtime professional users are hoping for. Earlier mentions of the new version of Final Cut Pro said the user interface would take a dramatic turn toward the pro-sumer level, echoing Apple's iMovie application.

As a filmmaker myself, I find myself torn as to whether an interface more like the current iMovie would be a worthwhile and welcomed change to Final Cut. Talking with Portland director Tommy Harrington ("Blackbird," "Chroma," "DT"), it is his opinion that the Final Cut interface should remain the same, improving specific features only.

Hardmac reports that two versions of Final Cut Studio are currently in beta. One version is for users running Mac OS X 10.6.5 Snow Leopard, whereas the other will be for users running the next version of Mac OS X, 10.7 Lion.

In September, Hardmac reported that although it had originally expected the newest version of Final Cut Studio in 2010, the development process had suffered setbacks. Namely, the concept of having an integrated and unified user interface between all the Studio applications was causing development hassles.

It was also reported that engineers were pulled off the Final Cut Studio development team to assist with the iOS development updates that brought us iOS 4.2.1 in November.

As details become clearer about features and release dates for Final Cut Studio, we will be sure to let you know. What features are you hoping to see in the new Final Cut Studio? Let me know in the comments!

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