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PeteBurgh

macrumors 6502
Jun 25, 2014
289
663
It's been "just a matter of time" for ages now.

I've seen countless threads here and on Reddit over the years about how Apple must surely be poised to release FCP* and other creative apps like Logic Pro. But the iPad Pro has been around since 2015, yet here we all are twiddling our thumbs. Like many, I assumed the 2018 Pros with their huge step forward in performance would mark a new era of iPad apps - but nope.

For reasons known best to themselves, Apple just doesn't seem to be interested in making these kinds of apps. Even the consumer apps like iMovie and GarageBand have barely changed in a decade.

(This is a separate argument, but personally, I don't particularly want Final Cut on the iPad. If I want a traditional NLE, I've got Lumafusion and my Mac. If Apple were to make a big splash with a video app, I'd prefer them to try something bold, new, and paradigm breaking. Something between FCP and iMovie that made extensive use of ML to reimagine what prosumer/enthusiast editing could look like).

*pedantic note - it's not called FCPX anymore: the X was dropped 2 years ago.
 
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PeteBurgh

macrumors 6502
Jun 25, 2014
289
663
Because if you want FCPX Apple wants you to buy the more expensive MacBook Pro.
If you're editing complex video on an iPad, you probably want a 12.9 Pro with at least one storage upgrade - in which case, you're well into MacBook Pro pricing...even before you've bought a keyboard, trackpad, or other similar accessories.
 
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Abazigal

Contributor
Jul 18, 2011
20,392
23,893
Singapore
Davinci Resolve now supports iPadOS. So why not FCPX then?
The counterpoint is that you risk jeopardising relations with your developer community by competing with them directly.

When the iPad first launched, I can see the logic of having a mobile version of iMovie where none existed, to set the bar and to serve as something that users can jump into right away while waiting for developers to release their own variations.

I have no idea how many copies of lumafusion has been sold, or how many people are even using it to edit videos over FCP on their Mac. But now that another big name (Resolve) is set to launch, it doesn't seem like good sport to steal their thunder (and potential sales) by announcing your own equivalent video editing software.
 
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Username-already-in-use

macrumors 6502a
May 18, 2021
567
1,056
A lot of those in the online tech space/YouTuber community who are demanding Apple's pro apps on the iPad, also wouldn't be seen dead trying to use Apple's pro apps on a MacBook Air.

So I don't really know why they would also demand them on an iPad (which also comes with a fan-less CPU).

Professional applications can be made to work within the limitations of iPad hardware and software, but I think if people are expecting an M1Pro/Max-level pro apps experience on an iPad, they're going to be very disappointed.
 

sunny5

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Jun 11, 2021
1,838
1,706
It's been "just a matter of time" for ages now.

I've seen countless threads here and on Reddit over the years about how Apple must surely be poised to release FCP* and other creative apps like Logic Pro. But the iPad Pro has been around since 2015, yet here we all are twiddling our thumbs. Like many, I assumed the 2018 Pros with their huge step forward in performance would mark a new era of iPad apps - but nope.

For reasons known best to themselves, Apple just doesn't seem to be interested in making these kinds of apps. Even the consumer apps like iMovie and GarageBand have barely changed in a decade.

(This is a separate argument, but personally, I don't particularly want Final Cut on the iPad. If I want a traditional NLE, I've got Lumafusion and my Mac. If Apple were to make a big splash with a video app, I'd prefer them to try something bold, new, and paradigm breaking. Something between FCP and iMovie that made extensive use of ML to reimagine what prosumer/enthusiast editing could look like).

*pedantic note - it's not called FCPX anymore: the X was dropped 2 years ago.
How come you are not thinking that iPad Pro can be used as a side device to support FCPX's workflow? Such a narrow vision.
 

PeteBurgh

macrumors 6502
Jun 25, 2014
289
663
How come you are not thinking that iPad Pro can be used as a side device to support FCPX's workflow? Such a narrow vision.
A strange response. How do you know what I’m thinking?!

I don’t think my “narrow vision” is the problem here. I‘d love to see Apple try something daring and innovative - iPad as a main device, or as a side device, using the Final Cut framework, say a specialised tool to do colour grading (an area in which FCP is clearly behind in now), or doing something completely new and unexpected. Whatever, I’d be excited to try it!

My point was simply that, over a long period of time, Apple has shown no interest in developing new creative apps on the iPad. I’d love to have my pessimism be proved wrong.
 
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Abazigal

Contributor
Jul 18, 2011
20,392
23,893
Singapore
Davinci Resolve now supports iPadOS. So why not FCPX then?
My counterargument would be that Apple may not want to be seen as competing directly with the very developers they are trying to court (those interested in bringing pro apps to the iPad). It's time and resources, and they don't quite need the money anyways (iMovie and iWork's are free at this point).
 
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