Photography

Snapseed update adds Text filter, image resizing when exporting and sharing & more

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 3, 2016

Since buying Snapseed from Nik Software in September 2012, Google has been somewhat neglecting this once popular mobile image editor, issuing maintenance updates that were light on new features. Today, the search firm announced that Snapseed, at long last, is getting some interesting new capabilities via an update on iOS and Android. The Text filter is now available and you can configure the app to resize photos when sharing/exporting.

UI adjustments and bug fixes are included in Snapseed 2.8 as well.

CameraTweak 4 launches in Cydia, turns iPhone into a professional camera

Anthony Bouchard ∙ August 3, 2016

By far one of the most comprehensive jailbreak tweaks for the iOS Camera app known as CameraTweak 4 has been updated with full support for iOS 9 this week.

The tweak brings a wide range of features to the stock Camera app that empower you to turn yourself into a professional mobile photographer. We'll talk a little about it in this review.

Instagram is rolling out Stories—Snapchat-like auto-dissapearing slideshows

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 2, 2016

Snapchat has Stories and now Instagram announced a similar feature of its own, called—wait for it—Stories. Basically a slideshow format designed for sharing multiple photos and videos, Stories appear on user profiles and, similar to ephemeral messaging services, automatically disappear 24 hours after being posted on the service.

This cool new feature will be rolling out globally over the next few weeks on the mobile Instagram app for iOS and Android.

You’ll soon be able to filter individual comments on Instagram, even disable commenting

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 1, 2016

Instagram is working on some significant enhancements for the commenting feature found its mobile app, potentially giving users the ability to filter their own comment streams on the service or even disable commenting on all posts, according to The Washington Post. Instagram has been testing these features with some businesses, but soon everyone will be able to screen individual comments in their feed and decide for themselves if they might be better served by disabling commenting on their account altogether.

Did Microsoft just make the best camera app with Pix for iPhone?

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 27, 2016

Microsoft Pix, a smarter camera app that helps you take better pictures without extra effort, is now available for download from the App Store. Microsoft says its app is “a bit like having a professional photographer inside your camera” in that it uses advanced artificial intelligence, computational photography and video stabilization to automatically pick the right settings to help boost and improve your iPhone photography skills.

Grab Microsoft Pix from the App Store for free and let us know if it impresses you.

Adobe releases viewing-only Lightroom app for Apple TV

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 9, 2017

Tuesday, Photoshop maker Adobe announced it's releasing Lightroom for Apple TV. A viewing-only app, Lightroom for Apple TV lets you instantly appreciate on your big screen TV any photos that are synchronized with Lightroom for mobile or uploaded via Lightroom CC on the desktop, mobile or web.

Your photos can be presented one by one or in a slideshow and you can zoom in on details using the Siri Remote. Separately, Adobe also released Lightroom CC 2015.6.1, which you can.

This tweak fixes a big security hole in your jailbroken device’s TIFF image handling

Anthony Bouchard ∙ July 20, 2016

An exploit recently uncovered in iOS versions 9.3.2 and earlier could allow a hacker to compromise the security of a device by having the user open an unsuspecting TIFF image file.

A new free jailbreak tweak called TIFF Disabler is available in Cydia right now, and in this piece, we'll discuss why all jailbreakers should install this tweak pronto.

Apple is opening an imaging R&D lab in the center of France’s Grenoble

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 14, 2016

In addition to celebrating Bastille Day with 'Shot on iPhone' imagery in blue/white/red tones representing the country's national flag appearing on the company's French website and billboards across the country, the Cupertino firm has also signed a lease with the city of Grenoble to open a research and development center at the heart of the town.

The 800-square-meter facility will reportedly focus on imaging components and employ about thirty engineers, according to the local newspaper Le Dauphiné Libéré cited by French blog iPhone.fr.

Google Photos adds new cropping tool, reduces battery and cellular data usage

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 16, 2018

Google Photos, the search giant's free mobile photo and video manager and cloud storage app, was updated in the App Store this morning with a few new features. Google Photos 1.12.1 for iOS packs in improved support for burst photos and offers a brand new cropping tool. Thanks to under-the-hood tweaks, the app should launch faster than before, promises Google. Last but not least, iPhone users will experience reduced battery and cellular data usage when using the refreshed software.

Lightroom for iOS gains direct RAW imports

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 13, 2016

iPhone photography fans who use Adobe's Lightroom application to manage and synchronize their photos across the iPhone, iPad, Mac and other devices will be delighted to learn that the latest updates to Lightroom for iPhone and Lightroom for iPad have enabled the ability to import images in the RAW file format. iOS 9 currently lacks RAW support, but iOS 10's been confirmed to bring RAW photo editing to latest iPhones and iPads when it hits this fall.

Camera+ 2.0 for iPad hits: Apple Pencil support, selective brushing, overhauled UI & more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 16, 2018

iPhone photography fans, rejoice! Developer taptaptap on Wednesday released a long-awaited iPad-focused update to its popular camera and photo editing application, aptly named Camera+. Camera+ 2.0 for iPad, a free update for those who already own the app, replaces its hopelessly outdated user interface with a thoroughly overhauled, modern-looking one. For starters, the refreshed software supports iOS 9's iPad-only multitasking modes.

More importantly, Camera+ 2.0 for iPad features selective brushing of the various edits and filters and comes with full support for Apple Pencil, enabling you to get very fine, precise control over brushing with the stylus.

Long exposure and time-lapse photography made easy with updated Pocket Tripod

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 30, 2016

Pocket Tripod, a credit card sized phone holder that started as a Kickstarter project in 2013, has been updated to accommodate iPhones and Android smartphones of all sizes, with or without a case. Created by Geometrical Inc.‘s Rambod Radmard, this tremendously useful accessory fits in your wallet and unfolds into a phone stand.

More importantly, it doubles as a mini-tripod for times when you need your iPhone's camera to be steady. The updated version is expected to ship in October.