Today, Microsoft announced it had launched new versions of its free Movie Maker and Photo Gallery software as part of a new package of Windows Essentials 2012 programs. The new versions will work for both Windows 7 and Windows 8 and have some added features that Microsoft says take advantage of Windows 8.
In a post on the Windows Experience blog, Microsoft goes over some of the new Movie Maker additions, including a new video stabilization option made especially for Windows 8. Microsoft has also added a way for people to add music to their videos on Movie Maker from three different sources: AudioMicro, Free Music Archive and the Vimeo Music Store. Users can edit how the music is incorporated in their movies. There is also an option to add spoken word narration to videos.
The new version of Photo Gallery also adds a way to make a quick collage of images. Microsoft states:
With Auto Collage in Photo Gallery you just select seven or more photos and we’ll arrange them in a collage for you. Making a new photo our of existing photos has never been easier. Whether you want to make a special print of a collection of photos or you want a nice start or ending to a movie highlight with some of your favorite scenes.
Microsoft also said that Vimeo is a new publishing partner for both Movie Maker and Photo Gallery, allowing users to quickly upload videos to the Vimeo.com website.
Source: Windows Experience blog | Image via Microsoft