Final Cut Express 4

Apple released Final Cut Express 4. According to Apple's press release, new features are:

• low price of $199
• support for the latest AVCHD cameras
• allows mixing of standard and high definition content on a single timeline
• includes the ability to import iMovie ‘08 projects
• gives users access to hundreds of sophisticated FxPlug cinematic effects and filters

Sounds very nice. Because video cameras are being popular again, it's good to have a full line up; iMovie (part of iLife) for beginners, Final Cut Express for mid-level or pro-sumer and Final Cut for professionals.

Apple also announced a database called "Bento". Is Apple going to include this in iWorks? That would be great, but Apple owns FileMaker which is a database software company, so probably it will stay as their product. Bento actually reminds me of a file format Apple suggested long time ago; back in the System 7 days, I think. It was a concept of a multi-media file format in which a single file can contain various data like text, graphics, sounds, videos, etc. I am not sure where that went though. Anyways, the Bento database is to bring calendars, contacts, etc. on Mac OS X to one interface. You can download a pre-release trial.

Lastly, for all these stuff, I am planning to write reviews. Yes, I am soon going to get a Mac again! So stay tuned!

Apple Updates (I ain't doing it yet...)

Apple has released a few software updates.

iTunes 7.5

QuickTime 7.3

iPhone/iPod Touch 1.1.2

According to some reports, the updates include a battery charging indicator on iTunes, internationalization and add calender event feature on iPhone and iPod Touch.

Did I do the update? No! Come on, the rule is to wait for a week before doing the update. Let the fearless geeks test out the new software and make sure it does not cause unnecessary issues.

BTW, my personal update. I'm planning to soon buy Macs. Yes, plural. I hope to post more with review and tip information.