Apple is launching today an update to its video creation app, Clips, which offers much-needed support for vertical videos, allowing sharing on TikTok and the "Stories" feature in other social apps. The addition is one of many coming with the release of Clips 3.0, which also introduces support for horizontal video, as well as HDR for iPhone 12 users, along with other minor changes, such as new stickers, sounds and posters, for example.
Apple's Clips first launched in 2017 with the aim of being a first stop for video creation before posting to Instagram. But the app's support for square format videos only has since become obsolete. Occasional social videos today are often posted on new video-centric social media networks, such as TikTok and its short-form rivals, including Triller, Dubsmash, Instagram Reels, and others.
Meanwhile, Stories - such as those found on Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, Pinterest and, soon, Twitter - have become a key way for today's users to post content on social media.
In fact, Apple says support for vertical video has become its # 1 request from users since the launch of Clips.
Clips 3.0 supports 16: 9 and 4: 3 aspect ratio, in addition to the square format. When the app is opened on iPad, it will default to landscape format, which can be particularly useful in educational scenarios where teachers use the app in classrooms with students.
On iPad, Clips users can also interact with the app when their iPad is in a case, like Magic Keyboard for iPad and others. It also supports use with a mouse or trackpad and allows users to write text in text fields using Apple Pencil.
The new app will now also support rear-facing HDR movie recording on iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro.
Clips' overall user interface has also been updated. You'll notice a redesigned recording screen floating on top of the viewer when shooting vertically or horizontally, which may help resolve some user complaints that the app feels "sluggish".
Users will also be able to view and access the various effects options, their clip projects and other media more easily.
UI tweaks also look a bit like a nod to TikTok. For example, you can now swipe up on Effects to see a full-height tab showing the stickers and text labels available to add to your videos. This pop-up card format full of effects is similar to TikTok, although it opens there with a touch of a button and not a gesture.
The update also brings more content options, including eight new social stickers (like "Sound On" for Instagram Stories), 24 new royalty-free soundtracks (bringing the total library to 100), and six new arrows and shapes. From the new media browser in Clips, you can insert your own photos and videos or jump to a Poster section to choose from 70 animated and customizable full-screen intertitles that can be added to your video.
Updated filters, live titles and selfie scenes are also available.
When your project is complete, you can easily share the resulting video on social networks from an updated sharing screen that includes quick access to destinations like Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Twitter, and Snapchat, as well as standard options like iMessage or save of the file locally.
While Clips didn't get the same attention as some of Apple's other apps - its latest update was six months ago, for example - it has garnered a following. Apple claims that users create "millions" of Clips projects per day and sees increased usage in the US, UK and China.
This year, Clips usage increased by 30%, Apple noted, a shift that could have been brought about by the move to virtual school that saw teachers in need of digital content creation tools.
With its increased focus on vertical video, Clips has the potential to reach a much wider audience.
Today, many users prepare videos for Stories or TikTok on third-party apps, such as InShot, Prequel, Splice, PicCollage, Canva, VSCO, Funimate, KineMaster, Magisto, CapCut and others topping the App Store charts. But Clips, until now, couldn't compete because it didn't include vertical video support at all.
The new version of Clips is available today for users around the world.
