Technology

Apple updates Final Cut Pro for Mac, iPad and Final Cut Camera

Published

1 year ago

November 13, 2024

Apple updates Final Cut Pro for Mac, iPad and Final Cut Camera

More than a decade after the launch of Final Cut Pro X, Apple’s video editing software is taking a step forward. The app is now being updated to Final Cut Pro 11, after dropping the number in its name for the past few years. The update includes new AI masking tools, the ability to generate captions directly in your timeline, spatial video editing features, and a set of workflow improvements. The new version is free for existing users and a $299 one-time purchase for new users. Final Cut Pro for iPad and Final Cut Camera are also getting some updates today, too.

I’ve spent the last week testing out these new features, and many of them are great improvements. I’ve been particularly impressed by the speed and accuracy of one new feature coming to the desktop: Magnetic Mask. With one click, you can easily isolate a subject, like a person, from the background and apply different color adjustments to that part of the footage.

I tested Magnetic Mask in various scenarios, like static talking head videos and fast-moving snowboarding footage. In each scenario, Final Cut Pro did a very good job of isolating the subjects. But don’t expect a pixel-perfect mask each time. I still had to jump in and do a few smaller adjustments to help it out. You can either manually fine-tune your mask with a brush or add or remove tracking points and let Final Cut Pro analyze the footage.

One thing that was impressive is that it automatically detected my flapping backpack straps.

I was impressed by the speed of the whole process. Granted, these were fairly short clips (about 45 seconds each), but each mask took less than a minute on my four-year-old 10-core M1 Pro MacBook Pro — a lot less time than the tedious and exhausting process of manually rotoscoping in After Effects.

I did notice that analysis slowed down significantly once I started screen recording my process. This feature will work on Intel-based Macs as well.

I am an avid user of Adobe’s Premiere Pro, but features like these always make me want to give Final Cut Pro another shot. I may not be left behind for long, though: Adobe announced a similar feature for Premiere earlier this year. DaVinci Resolve also already has a similar feature called Magic Mask.

The next new highlight is the ability to autogenerate captions in your timeline. Final Cut Pro does this using an Apple-trained language mode, and the whole process takes place locally on-device without sending information to the cloud. The process is fast but not always accurate and often misspells common words. It fumbled at proper nouns like “The Verge” and even more common nouns like “machine,” where it would just write “macine” instead. Those are just a few of many examples. There’s also no way to stylize your captions if you were hoping to add them to your TikToks. For that, you’ll need to look into some third-party plug-ins.

1/4

Final Cut Pro would frequently make spelling errors in the generated captions.

It is a good update, but I wish Apple went a step further and added text-based editing, which lets you edit videos solely by using text instead of on the timeline itself. Text-based editing in Premiere has helped me immensely when working on longer documentaries or sit-down interviews, and I wish it were possible in Final Cut Pro 11.

Other changes include the ability to edit spatial videos for the Vision Pro and some new keyboard shortcuts. My favorite is Option + Arrow Up / Arrow Down to move clips between layers. It’s the little things!

Final Cut Pro for iPad is also getting a few new updates. The AI-enabled “enhance light and color” tool that was initially released in Final Cut Pro 10.8 for the Mac is making its way to the iPad app. It is the fastest way to quickly improve the color, contrast, and overall tonality of your footage.

The AI-enhanced light and color tool originally came out for Final Cut Pro for Mac but has made its way to the iPad version in this update.

In a few tests that I ran, the tool did a really good job of getting me started on my coloring process. It cleans up the overall exposure nicely and adds very subtle stylistic color choices. For far less subtle color grades, Apple is expanding the number of presets available in the app. In addition to those presets, Apple is also adding new modular transitions and new songs to its soundtrack library.

If you’re using the Apple Pencil Pro to edit, you’ll finally be able to unlock all those new brushes that were released alongside the M4 iPad Pro and features like tilt recognition and take advantage of the haptic feedback. Haptic feedback works particularly well on the iPad, and I’m enjoying it more than I thought I would. It really makes the editing process feel a lot more tactile. In fact, I wish more gestures had some haptic feedback.

Lastly, there are some minor but significant workflow improvements. You can now resize the height of your clips in your timeline by using the pinch gesture, you can edit in 120fps timelines, and the picture-in-picture mode is dynamic. Apple also mentioned there are new keyboard shortcuts, but I’ve only found one: Render Entire Timeline.

I’m glad to see more frequent updates coming to the iPad version of Final Cut Pro, but there are still features that are desperately needed to really make this app worth the $4.99 a month subscription plan. At the top of my wish list are things like custom LUTs, better file management, and some of the other AI-powered features that have already made their way to the desktop version. Since my initial review, I’ve mostly started using DaVinci Resolve on the iPad, which continues to impress me with how similar it is to its desktop equivalent.

The trifecta of updates ends with the Final Cut Camera, which can now film HEVC files in Apple Log — no need to stick with storage-hungry ProRes files anymore. HEVC Log capture will work for both standalone capture or as part of the Live Multicam session. Final Cut Camera will also include LUT previews during recording, meaning you can monitor your exposure and color while filming in Apple Log.

Final Cut Camera can shoot in 120fps in Apple Log and has a new leveler to help you frame up your shots.

And in order to make sure your framing is correct and aligned, Apple is adding a new level indicator to the app. The new leveler includes tilt and roll indicators and crosshairs for your top-down and bottom-up shots, too.

The introduction of new AI features and workflow improvements mark significant steps forward for content creators, but they don’t address some of the community’s requests to fully compete with the likes of DaVinci and Adobe. I’d still like to see text-based editing, more robust coloring options, and custom captions. It will be interesting to see if these new updates convert any new users. Magnetic Mask alone could be enough of a reason to switch.

Technology

X claims it has stopped Grok from undressing people, but of course it hasn’t

Published

7 hours ago

January 15, 2026

Press Room

X claims it has stopped Grok from undressing people, but of course it hasn’t

Updates to [@]Grok Account

We have implemented technological measures to prevent the Grok account from allowing the editing of images of real people in revealing clothing such as bikinis. This restriction applies to all users, including paid subscribers.

Additionally, image creation and the ability to edit images via the Grok account on the X platform are now only available to paid subscribers. This adds an extra layer of protection by helping to ensure that individuals who attempt to abuse the Grok account to violate the law or our policies can be held accountable.

Geoblock update

We now geoblock the ability of all users to generate images of real people in bikinis, underwear, and similar attire via the Grok account and in Grok in X in those jurisdictions where it’s illegal.

Technology

Malicious Mac extensions steal crypto wallets and passwords

Published

8 hours ago

January 15, 2026

Press Room

Malicious Mac extensions steal crypto wallets and passwords

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Mac users often assume they’re safer than everyone else, especially when they stick to official app stores and trusted tools.

That sense of security is exactly what attackers like to exploit. Security researchers have now uncovered a fresh wave of malicious Mac extensions that don’t just spy on you, but can also steal cryptocurrency wallet data, passwords and even Keychain credentials. What makes this campaign especially concerning is where the malware was found, inside legitimate extension marketplaces that many people trust by default.

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Once active, GlassWorm targets passwords, crypto wallets, and even your macOS Keychain without obvious warning signs. (Cyberguy.com)

How malicious Mac extensions slipped into trusted stores

Security researchers at Koi Security uncovered a new wave of the GlassWorm malware hiding inside extensions for code editors like Visual Studio Code (via Bleeping Computer). If you’re not familiar with code editors, they’re tools developers use to write and edit code, similar to how you might use Google Docs or Microsoft Word to edit text. These malicious extensions appeared on both the Microsoft Visual Studio Marketplace and OpenVSX, platforms widely used by developers and power users.

FAKE AI CHAT RESULTS ARE SPREADING DANGEROUS MAC MALWARE

At first glance, the extensions looked harmless. They promised popular features like code formatting, themes or productivity tools. Once installed, though, they quietly ran malicious code in the background. Earlier versions of GlassWorm relied on hidden text tricks to stay invisible. The latest wave goes further by encrypting its malicious code and delaying execution, making it harder for automated security checks to catch.

Even though this campaign is described as targeting developers, you don’t need to write code to be at risk. If you use a Mac, install extensions or store passwords or cryptocurrency on your system, this threat still applies to you.

What GlassWorm does once it’s on your Mac

Once active, GlassWorm goes after some of the most sensitive data on your device. It attempts to steal login credentials tied to platforms like GitHub and npm, but it doesn’t stop there. The malware also targets browser-based cryptocurrency wallets and now tries to access your macOS Keychain, where many saved passwords are stored.

Researchers also found that GlassWorm checks whether hardware wallet apps like Ledger Live or Trezor Suite are installed. If they are, the malware attempts to replace them with a compromised version designed to steal crypto. That part of the attack isn’t fully working yet, but the functionality is already in place.

To maintain access, the malware sets itself up to run automatically after a reboot. It can also allow remote access to your system and route internet traffic through your Mac without you realizing it, turning your device into a quiet relay for someone else.

Some of the malicious extensions showed tens of thousands of downloads. Those numbers can be manipulated, but they still create a false sense of trust that makes people more likely to install them.

7 steps you can take to stay safe from malicious Mac extensions

Malicious extensions don’t look dangerous. That’s what makes them effective. These steps can help you reduce the risk, even when threats slip into trusted marketplaces.

1) Only install extensions you actually need

Every extension you install increases risk. If you’re not actively using one, remove it. Be especially cautious of extensions that promise big productivity gains, premium features for free or imitate popular tools with slightly altered names.

2) Verify the publisher before installing anything

Check who made the extension. Established developers usually have a clear website, documentation and update history. New publishers, vague descriptions or cloned names should raise red flags.

These malicious extensions looked like helpful tools but quietly ran hidden code once installed. (Cyberguy.com)

3) Use a password manager

A password manager keeps your logins encrypted and stored safely outside your browser or editor. It also ensures every account has a unique password, so if one set of credentials is stolen, attackers can’t reuse it elsewhere.

Next, see if your email has been exposed in past breaches. Our No. 1 password manager pick includes a built-in breach scanner that checks whether your email address or passwords have appeared in known leaks. If you discover a match, immediately change any reused passwords and secure those accounts with new, unique credentials.

Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com.

HOW HACKERS ARE BREAKING INTO APPLE DEVICES THROUGH AIRPLAY

4) Run strong antivirus software on your Mac

Modern macOS malware doesn’t always drop obvious files. Antivirus tools today focus on behavior, looking for suspicious background activity, encrypted payloads and persistence mechanisms used by malicious extensions. This adds a critical safety net when something slips through official marketplaces.

The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.

Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.

5) Consider a personal data removal service

When your data leaks, it often spreads across data broker sites and breaches databases. Personal data removal services help reduce how much of your information is publicly available, making it harder for attackers to target you with follow-up scams or account takeovers.

While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren’t cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.

Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.

Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com.

6) Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA)

Enable 2FA wherever possible, especially for email, cloud services, developer platforms and crypto-related accounts. Even if a password is stolen, 2FA can stop attackers from logging in.

7) Keep macOS and your apps fully updated

Security updates close gaps that malware relies on. Turn on automatic updates so you’re protected even if you miss the headlines or forget to check manually.

Mac users often trust official app stores, but that trust is exactly what attackers are counting on. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Kurt’s key takeaway

GlassWorm shows that malware doesn’t always come from shady downloads or obvious scams. Sometimes it hides inside tools you already trust. Even official extension stores can host malicious software long enough to cause real harm. If you use a Mac and rely on extensions, a quick review of what’s installed could save you from losing passwords, crypto or access to important accounts.

When was the last time you checked the extensions running on your Mac? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Technology

BMW says electric M3 will be a ‘new level’ of performance

Published

20 hours ago

January 14, 2026

Press Room

BMW says electric M3 will be a ‘new level’ of performance

BMW teased its forthcoming all-electric M-series performance sedan today, promising that the quad-motor M3 sports car would feature specs that are truly next level when it arrives in 2027.

The M3 will have four electric motors and simulated gear shifting, a feature that is quickly becoming a must-have for electrified sports cars. BMW says the setup unlocks the benefits of both rear and all-wheel drive, with the ability to decouple the front axle.

The electric M3 will also be built on BMW’s Neue Klasse platform that promises more efficient batteries, lightning fast charging, and higher powered computers. The architecture will be 800-volt, the regenerative braking will be highly efficient, and if the camouflaged pictures are any indication, it will be a real looker on the streets.

Speaking of computers, the M3 will have four of them, unified under its oddly named “Heart of Joy” component that aggregates all the traction, stability, and electric motor management functions of the vehicle. That means when software updates are made available, the vehicle’s brain will be able to receive them over-the-air faster than BMW’s current processors.

The M3’s simulated gear shifting will feature a “newly developed soundscape” that “channels pure emotion.” Like other automakers, BMW is loath to alienate its loyal M-series customers by giving them all the torque but none of the gearing feedback. And now a fake “soundscape” will accompany all that shifting. Porsche, Hyundai, and Dodge are also on board the fake EV gear shifting bandwagon.