iOS 17 Enables Cinematic Mode Video Editing in Third-Party Apps

As outlined in a WWDC 2023 video, iOS 17 includes a new Cinematic API that enables developers to support Cinematic mode video playback and editing in third-party apps.

Cinematic Mode iPhone Feature
"The Cinematic framework enables you to add professional-level editing and playback features to movies, recorded with the Camera app's Cinematic mode, to your apps," says Apple's developer documentation. "These are the same features used in applications such as Final Cut Pro, Photos, and iMovie. For example, this enables your apps to change focus distance and aperture in movies, creating a bokeh effect, even after recording."

Apple offers Cinematic mode in the Camera app on iPhone 13 models and newer. Inspired by professional Hollywood films, the feature allows users to record video with a shallow depth of field and automatic focus changes between subjects.

Cinematic mode uses a technique called "rack focus" to seamlessly shift the focus from one subject to another. It does this by locking the focus on the subject in a scene and blurring the background to achieve depth of field. If you subsequently move the camera to center on a new subject, or a new subject enters the scene, Cinematic mode automatically switches the focal point to this new subject and blurs out the background.

For more details, read How to Shoot Video in Cinematic Mode on iPhone 13 and iPhone 14.

Related Roundups: WWDC 2024, iOS 17, iPadOS 17

Top Rated Comments

Apple Fan 2008 Avatar
11 months ago
Apple seems to be opening things up more, hope this trend continues.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lazyrighteye Avatar
11 months ago

Remember the big to-do they made about Cinematic Mode in the keynote when the iPhone 13 was introduced? I wonder how many people have used it.
It's a neat feature that I'm glad is available, but one I seldom use.
1) I honestly forget about it and 2) that feature doesn't work so well from the soccer pitch sidelines. ?
But when I have used it, in more controlled settings (where subjects offer the depth of field for the feature to work properly), it's pretty sweet. Especially for a built-in feature of a camera on a phone.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Expos of 1969 Avatar
11 months ago
Remember the big to-do they made about Cinematic Mode in the keynote when the iPhone 13 was introduced? I wonder how many people have used it.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HorstBockman Avatar
11 months ago
Focus/bokeh can be adjusted after the fact in "post", which means video recorded in Cinematic mode is in focus across the frame (to the extent possible). Selective blurring is then done computationally and reversibly.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ignatius345 Avatar
11 months ago

Focus/bokeh can be adjusted after the fact in "post", which means video recorded in Cinematic mode is in focus across the frame (to the extent possible). Selective blurring is then done computationally and reversibly.
But it's still kind of hacky and error-prone. Unlike "low-tech" bokeh which just involves focusing the light, this requires a ton of intepretation from the device. And it can easily get it wrong with stuff like frizzy hair in the foreground. It all looks impressive on a phone screen, but if you start getting in and looking a little closer it can get messy.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mr. Awesome Avatar
11 months ago

But it's still kind of hacky and error-prone. Unlike "low-tech" bokeh which just involves focusing the light, this requires a ton of intepretation from the device. And it can easily get it wrong with stuff like frizzy hair in the foreground. It all looks impressive on a phone screen, but if you start getting in and looking a little closer it can get messy.
True, but it's something that will only get better as the algorithms and networks improve, and overall it's just insanely impressive that you're even able to simulate this effect on a literal phone you carry in your pocket with a tiny little lens. The editing it in post is the cherry on top.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Apple to Launch New iPad Pro and iPad Air Models in May

Thursday March 28, 2024 11:07 am PDT by
Apple will introduce new iPad Pro and iPad Air models in early May, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Gurman previously suggested the new iPads would come out in March, and then April, but the timeline has been pushed back once again. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Apple is working on updates to both the iPad Pro and iPad Air models. The iPad Pro models will...
General Apps Messages

Google Reveals When to Expect RCS Support on iPhone for Improved Texting With Android Users

Friday March 29, 2024 7:14 am PDT by
In November, Apple announced that the iPhone would support the cross-platform messaging standard RCS (Rich Communication Services) in the Messages app starting "later" in 2024, and Google has now revealed a more narrow timeframe. In a since-deleted section of the revamped Google Messages web page, spotted by 9to5Google, Google said that Apple would be adopting RCS on the iPhone in the "fall...
airtag new orange

Criminals in Montreal Using AirTags to Steal Vehicles

Friday March 29, 2024 12:50 pm PDT by
Thieves in Montreal, Canada have been using Apple's AirTags to facilitate vehicle theft, according to a report from Vermont news sites WCAX and NBC5 (via 9to5Mac). Police officers in Burlington, Vermont have issued a warning about AirTags for drivers who recently visited Canada. Two Burlington residents found Apple AirTags in their vehicles after returning from trips to Montreal, and these...
top stories 30mar2024

Top Stories: WWDC 2024 Announced, New iPads Delayed, and More

Saturday March 30, 2024 6:00 am PDT by
Apple's WWDC 2024 dates have been announced, giving us timing for the unveiling of the company's next round of major operating system updates and likely some other announcements. This week also saw some disappointing news on the iPad front, with update timing for the iPad Pro and iPad Air pushed back from previous rumors. We did hear some new tidbits about what might be coming in iOS 18 and...
iphone 16 cases sonny dickson 1

First iPhone 16 Cases Outline New Rear Vertical Camera Bump

Friday March 29, 2024 4:09 am PDT by
Photos of the first iPhone 16 cases have been shared online, offering another preview of the rumored new vertical rear camera arrangement on the standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. Image credit: Accessory leaker Sonny Dickson Over the last few months, Apple has been experimenting with different camera bump designs for the standard iPhone 16 models, all of which have featured a vertical ...
Apple iPhone 15 Pro spatial video capture lifestyle

$3 App Shoots Better Quality Spatial Video Than iPhone's Camera App

Friday March 29, 2024 4:48 am PDT by
A $3 third-party app can now record spatial video on iPhone 15 Pro models in a higher resolution than Apple's very own Camera app. Thanks to an update first spotted by UploadVR, Spatialify can now record spatial videos with HDR in 1080p at 60fps or in 4K at 30fps. In comparison, Apple's native Camera app is limited to recording spatial video in 1080p at 30fps. Shortly after Apple's Vision ...