MacRumors

Apple today released a major update for Final Cut Pro X, its video editing software aimed at professionals. Today's update includes a new look for the software, support for the Touch Bar included in the new MacBook Pro, and a host of other features.

Final Cut Pro X features a revamped interface that's designed to streamline the layout for optimal screen space on the MacBook Pro, plus it includes a darker, flat look for more focus on content. There are customizable workspaces that let users select ideal layout options for organizing, editing, and color grading, even across more than one monitor. Full support for wide color workflows is included.

"This is our biggest update to Final Cut Pro X since we completely redesigned it five years ago," said Susan Prescott, Apple's vice president of Apps Product Marketing. "The new version features a sleek interface and adds powerful new editing features that go far beyond what's possible with traditional, track-based video editing apps; and integration with the revolutionary Touch Bar gives professional video editors a whole new way to interact with Final Cut Pro X."

There's a new Magnetic Timeline to make it easier to see a full film at a glance. Dialogue, music, and effects are all highlighted with custom color coding, and there's now an option to drag and rearrange the vertical layout of a timeline or highlight audio roles during the editing process.

The Final Cut Pro X update also includes support for the Touch Bar on the MacBook Pro, introducing dynamic controls that change based on which tool is in use. With the Tool Bar, users can do things like adjust audio levels, trim, navigate through a timeline, initiate playback, and more.

Motion 5.3 and Compressor 5.3 have also been updated with Touch Bar support and a new darker look to match the Final Cut Pro X update. Motion 5.3 includes support for wide color workflows and 3D text enhancements, plus it offers a new Align behavior for quickly connecting separate objects. Compressor 4.3 features wide color support and updates and improvements that make it quicker to deliver packages to the iTunes Store.

Final Cut Pro X can be downloaded from the Mac App Store for $299.99. [Direct Link]

Motion can be downloaded from the Mac App Store for $49.99. [Direct Link]

Compressor can be downloaded from the Mac App Store for $49.99. [Direct Link]

During today's event, Apple announced that it has teamed up with LG to create 4K and 5K UltraFine Displays specifically designed to work with the new 13 and 15-inch MacBook Pro models that debuted this morning.

Priced at $1,299.95, the 27-inch 5K LG UltraFine Display features a 5120 x 2880 resolution and P3 wide color gamut. It uses multi-stream transport so it's powered by a single Thunderbolt 3 cable, which can also charge the MacBook Pro at the same time with up to 85W of power delivery.

Three downstream USB-C ports are built into the back of the display to power additional devices and accessories, and it includes built-in stereo speakers, a camera, and a microphone. The 5K display is only compatible with the new MacBook Pro, as it requires a Thunderbolt 3 connection.

Apple and LG are also offering a 21.5-inch 4K monitor, with a resolution of 4096 x 2304 and P3 wide color gamut for $699.95. It's able to connect to the MacBook Pro or MacBook using a single USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 cable, which can also provide 60W of power for charging.

It too includes three downstream USB-C ports to power additional devices and accessories, plus it includes built-in stereo speakers. Because it doesn't require Thunderbolt 3 connectivity, the 4K LG display works with any Mac that has a USB-C port.

The LG UltraFine 4K Display is currently available for purchase from Apple's website and will ship out in 5 to 6 weeks. The LG UltraFine 5K Display is currently listed as "Unavailable" on Apple's website and cannot yet be purchased. Apple says it will launch in December.

According to the technical specifications listed for the new MacBook Pros, which are equipped with Thunderbolt 3, the 15-inch MacBook Pro can power two 5K displays at one time or four 4K displays. The new 13-inch MacBook Pro can power one 5K display or two 4K displays. All external displays are able to run at 60Hz.

It is not clear what the LG partnership means for the future of Apple-branded displays. Apple discontinued its Thunderbolt Display earlier this year, but there were rumors suggesting a 5K display with an integrated GPU is in the works. It is not clear if the LG monitors have replaced that rumored product, or if Apple is making them available until it can produce a new Apple-branded display.

While new MacBook Pros with faster specs and a Touch Bar launched earlier today, Apple continues to sell base model 2015 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pros on its website for the same entry-level prices of $1,299 and $1,999 respectively. Higher-end models with faster specs and more storage are no longer available for purchase.

2015 MacBook Pros should remain a popular option among customers who prefer having access to a broader range of ports, such as MagSafe, two USB-A ports, two Thunderbolt ports, HDMI, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and an SD card reader.

The new MacBook Pros have four Thunderbolt 3 ports and a 3.5mm headphone jack only. Thunderbolt 3 carries power, USB, DisplayPort, HDMI, and VGA video out over a single port. As with the 12-inch MacBook, customers will have to purchase standalone dongles to connect certain devices and accessories.

2015 MacBook Pros, of course, have traditional function keys rather than Apple's new Touch Bar that provides contextual controls based on the app you are working in or system task you are carrying out.

Apple did not update the MacBook Air line as expected today, signaling that it will slowly phase out the MacBook Air machines in favor of the MacBook and MacBook Pro lineups.

While there is no new MacBook Air available for purchase, Apple is continuing to offer the 13-inch MacBook Air models that were last updated in 2015. The 11-inch MacBook Air has been officially discontinued and can no longer be purchased from Apple.

Pricing on the MacBook Air continues to start at $999 for the 1.6GHz/8GB/128GB model, which is likely why Apple has kept it in the lineup for now. At $999, the MacBook Air is $500 cheaper than the new entry-level MacBook Pro and $300 cheaper than the entry-level Retina MacBook.

At today's event, Apple positioned the new entry-level MacBook Pro as a viable MacBook Air replacement, because the MacBook Pro is now nearly as thin and light as the MacBook Air.

Apple's entry-level MacBook Pro features a 2.0GHz processor, 8GB RAM, 256GB storage, Intel Iris Graphics 540, and two Thunderbolt 3 ports. It does not include a Touch Bar or Touch ID support, which allows Apple to sell it for $1,499 instead of $1,799, the price of the entry-level MacBook Pro that has those two features.

Apple has discontinued its non-Retina legacy MacBook Pro, the last Mac it sold with a built-in CD/DVD drive. The 13-inch notebook had not been updated since June 2012, but it remained available for purchase on Apple's website for $1,099 until today.

Apple continues to sell a standalone SuperDrive for $79 that connects with a traditional USB cable. As with the 12-inch MacBook, a dongle would be needed to use the SuperDrive with new MacBook Pros that have switched to USB-C ports.

During its keynote today, Apple briefly mentioned that Touch Bar will be gaining heavy support from third party applications when the laptop launches. Namely, Microsoft is working on introducing support for Touch Bar into Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Skype.

Apple didn't say specifically what the Touch Bar will be able to do within each app, but the company gave detailed demos of what users will be able to do in Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, and Djay Pro. Sketch, DaVinci Resolve, and many others apps will update with Touch Bar support on the new MacBook Pros, as well.

Apple announced a new Retina display 'Touch Bar' replacing the function key strip on the keyboards of its two top-tier MacBook Pro notebooks at its "Hello again" event today.

Apple software engineer Craig Federighi showed off the customizable sapphire crystal Touch Bar in action, which can also be used as a traditional Function key set and supports a host of native and third-party apps.

Apple says the Touch ID component in the Touch Bar features an Apple T1 chip with a secure enclave for security purposes.

The Touch ID sensor recognizes account holders instantly and also supports account switching. System controls can be used and they also support gestures and swipes for controlling brightness, for example.

Contextual controls in apps are fully supported. For example, the Mail app gains Touch Bar controls for composing messages, replying, flagging, filing, and formatting options.

When composing, Quick Type options like in iOS appear on the bar, with like Siri predictions. Emojis are also displayed in the Messages app: browsing emojis by frequently used or by category can be achieved with simple swipes.

Naviagation in and between apps is also included. The touch bar can be used to move between tabs, previews, previews. and opening new tabs with favorites ready to select.

Lastly, Final Cut Pro, Photoshop, and Photos are also supported - users can use Photoshop tools, swipe through photo collections, and use playback controls when viewing photos and editing videos.

At the beginning of its "Hello Again" Town Hall event today Apple CEO Tim Cook announced that the company is launching a new accessibility website to help promote the accessibility features in its products.

It's all about the accessibility features that we've designed and built into our products. We believe that technology should be accessible to everyone, and we hope this website becomes a great resource that people can use all around the world.

Cook says that Apple believes that if people have access to its product they can help push humanity forward and "change the world in the process." Before Cook came to the stage, Apple played a short video showcasing customers using the available accessibility features.

Apple's accessibility website should go live once the event is complete. Currently, Apple's older accessibility website is still live.

Apple's October 2016 Special Event is ongoing.

Adobe for the second time this month has released Flash Player security updates to address critical vulnerabilities that could potentially allow an attacker to take control of Mac, Windows, Linux, and Chrome OS systems.

Adobe gave the security fixes its highest severity rating, meaning users should immediately update to the latest Flash Player version through the built-in update mechanism, or by visiting the Adobe Flash Player Download Center.

Adobe said the security updates resolve a use-after-free vulnerability that could lead to code execution, as discovered by Google's Threat Analysis Group. Adobe said it was aware of the exploit being used in "limited, targeted attacks" against users running Windows 7 or later only, but Mac users could still be affected and should update out of an abundance of caution.

Affected versions of Flash Player for Mac:

• Adobe Flash Player version 23.0.0.185 and earlier
  

• Adobe Flash Player for Google Chrome version 23.0.0.185 and earlier

Mac users running Flash Player 11.3.x or later who have selected the option to "allow Adobe to install updates" will receive the update automatically. Likewise, Google Chrome will automatically update Flash Player to version 23.0.0.205. Select "About Google Chrome" under the Tools menu to verify the browser is up-to-date.

Safari on macOS Sierra deactivates Flash by default, only turning on the plug-in when user requested. Chrome, Firefox, and most other modern web browsers also have web plug-in safeguards in place due to repeated security risks. Adobe has released a dozen Flash Player security updates over the past year.

In 2010, late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs penned an article called "Thoughts on Flash" in which he favored open web standards such as HTML5 over Adobe Flash. Jobs said Flash Player was "the number one reason Macs crash" and criticized its performance on mobile devices. "Flash was created during the PC era – for PCs and mice," he wrote.