Kindle Fire Tips: PicShop photo editor for Kindle Fire and Android is Free App of the Day, Tues, Aug 13, 2013. Filters, frames, overlays (and Caveats)

In reply to the blog entry about the HD Camera app (which is about how to use the front-facing camera to take photos of yourself or whatever is behind you), commenter David Silva once alerted us to another camera app he recommended for Kindle Fire HD owners.

  It's the PicShop Lite Photo Editor, by esDot Development Studio, and this "Lite" version is always free.

1.  For the always-free version, there are currently 337 customer reviews, with an average rating of 4.1 stars.

TODAY, the paid version of PicShop - Photo Editor (usually $4.99) is free, for just today -- August 13, 2013.

Product Features

(for both versions)
Full Editing Suite
Filters and Effects
Frames and Overlays
Sketch Mode w/ 8 different brushes
Meme Maker
Speech Bubbles
Text w/ Adjustable Font
Fun Stickers (Hats, Moustaches, Love etc)
Social Integration (Facebook, Twitter, Email)
Customize app with your own personal theme

The "Editing Suite" includes:
Color / Saturation; Brightness / Contrast; Sharpen / Blur; Tilt Shift
Depth of Field; Blemish Remover; RedEye Remover; Auto-Correction;
Crop; Rotate; Flip


2.   The usually $4.99 paid version also has an average 4-star rating, with 1,053 customer reviews currently showing on the actual customer-reviews page. There are a large number of dissatisfied users and a seeming lack of customer support for too many (and no identifiable vendor responses seen) but also over 600+ 5-star reviews.
  Image-quality-conscious photobugs should read the CAVEATS (in red) below also.

The app maker doesn't mention what the differences are, between free and paid versions, but one customer said the "full version" was needed to "unlock" something, another customer wishes she "didn't have to buy [the] full version" to get the rest of it, and one person said it seemed to "taunt" you with things available only in the paid version (although if one likes it, $5 is not a huge price and it has a sizeable number of people who chose it over the free one eventually).

*CAVEATS* - A review today pointed out that any image he saved (even if he made no changes) was badly compressed by the SAVE action and was no longer the clear artifact-free image that the original was.

  He doesn't mention what tablet or phone he was using or if he tried it with another device, but the probability is that it's the method of Saving the image (and maybe a setting somewhere to choose the quality of the saved image but I haven't tried the newest version yet).

  Since it's free today, it's probably worth trying to see if this happens to your images.  You would Save (the changes) AS [another filename], giving the saved-changes file a different name.  Never "Save" an original photo or image by overwriting an existing image but save it with a new name or make sure you have a backup copy.

  There are now many reviews from today's downloads, and many users cannot save changed images to their devices, while others are highly enthusiastic about what it does.  It seems to work well with the Kindle Fire but not with some other devices.  What is disturbing is that the appmaker offers this for free today but doesn't respond to problems voiced over the last half year and should be responding today too.

  I'd like to hear what blog readers here experience happening to their test image when saving changes and what device you are using, if people don't mind reporting on that.


The Product Description from the product page:

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Photo editing on your Android device

"Full-Featured Photo Editor for Android

PicShop - Photo Editor features a beautiful design combined with tons of editing options and dozens of filters. With support for HD images up to 8MP, PicShop is great for serious photographers as well as casual.  Post your perfected photos to Facebook, Twitter or e-mail with a single click.

The UI Layer for PicShop is fully GPU accelerated, which translates into extremely low battery consumption, and a beautifully smooth 60hz interface. This app is a joy to use.

Photo Editing Controls

This photo-editing Suite includes Color/Saturation, Brightness/Contrast, Sharpen/Blur, Tilt Shift, Depth of Field, Blemish Remover, RedEye Remover, Auto-Correction, Crop, Rotate, and Flip."

This editor can of course be used with photos that you transfer to the Kindle Fire HD or to whatever Android device you're using, either via a USB connection to a computer or via the WiFi File Explorer "over the air."

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NPR: on e-reader value vs full tablets, plus added information

NPR's Jon Kalish has an article on using the tablet-like features on e-readers, titled "Cheaper than a Tablet: Rooting" your E-Reader," something that can be done with the NookColor to remove its mild Clark Kent eyeglasses and strip it down to the full-flying Android operating system capability, for a decent price.

 Google's Android OS, coming on strong against the Apple operating system (iOS) allows use of the Android Marketplace without the restrictions of the curated Apple app store, giving access to all Android apps, but  recently to some carrying malware, as they are not checked, and to apps that can cause crashes.
  For many, the risk is worth the freedom to choose.  An Android device should be able (if the software is robust)  to run ebook-apps from all the online bookstores that make them for the Android system.  The Kindle for Android app is one.

Android tablets have several features that the Apple iPad2 doesn't have, including a decent still-picture camera (not that I'd care about that), a USB port, SD slot, the ability to run Flash used on websites (some block them anyway), and real multi-tasking.
  Also people should note that the lowest-level $500 iPad2 is only 16G for storage, and if you use it for storing video you'd run out pretty quickly. So, the equivalent 32G-storage price is $600.  And that's before adding $130 for the 3G model of the iPad and $30 for the connection kit (camera and USB) + monthly data charges.

  With Apple's iPad2, background apps are suspended when the 'front' app is running, but Android devices can do true multi-tasking, with programs actually running in the background doing things while you work with the main one.

The article's words on the Kindle
  Despite the title of the article, the first few paragraphs are about the Kindle:

' In fact, San Francisco hacker Mitch Altman doesn't read e-books on his Kindle at all.  He only uses its Web browser to access maps and restaurant listings when he's traveling.

The Amazon Kindle-3 3G (UK: K3)  has 3G data connectivity so that readers can download e-books anywhere there is cell phone service  [by AT&T and its partners in 100+ other countries)]

 As many Kindle owners know, the device can connect to Google and Wikipedia to look up things mentioned in e-books, too.  That connectivity is all the opportunity hackers need to turn an e-book reader into a tablet. [AB comment: : Note that this is NOT doable with the Kindle]

Cheap And Portable Internet
"This is something that is starting to get around in geek and hacker circles, and it's a relatively cheap way to have Internet anywhere you go," Altman says.

When Altman says it's cheap, he's referring to the fact that the 3G Kindle costs a mere $190 and there is no charge for the 3G Internet.  Of course, there's a trade-off here: the Kindle doesn't have a touch screen, so you have to use scrolling buttons to navigate around the screen, which Altman has found cumbersome. But for $60 more, he could've gotten the Nook Color. '

3G vs WiFi
  Kalish does mention that, for that added $60, the NookColor does NOT have 3G access to the Net, which makes  access possible as you're walking down the street.  The NookColor uses only WiFi  for accessing the Net.
   I don't know about others' experience, but wherever I go now, all nearby WiFi networks are "secured," as security setups are now automated by routers today.  You'd need the password or passkey unless you find free WiFi.  Since that can be done at Starbucks or McDonald's, some will find it but they're not places I tend to visit.

 3G cellular access is almost always possible just about anywhere you happen to be.  But on an e-Ink screen, it's slow and requires patience.  I use mine mainly for look-ups while out and for reading feeds of text from various news sites.  I also use it to look up reviews of a product I'm undecided on when out and encountering an enticing sale.  The reviews usually let me know just why they're on sale.

 The definite slowness of e-Ink 3G web access on the Kindle does not encourage anything resembling web-surfing, but it's great for looking up (for no added cost)  info when you don't already have a smart phone with paid 3G data access.


From xkcd - Their home page
Ability to buy e-books when outside the U.S.
  Note that B&N's Nook books can be purchased only in the U.S. (and probably Canada now), and U.S./Canadian buyers cannot buy a Nook book when they are traveling outside the U.S.
  There's no such restriction on Kindle owners travelling abroad.

  The Kindle 3 not only has 3G use for downloading Kindle books, in 100+ countries, it also has free 3G web browsing in about 60 countries, usable by US customers when traveling.

  Also, most of the other 40+ countries that have 3G book downloads but which don't get free 3G web-lookups DO have instant, free 3G cellular network access to Wikipedia from their Kindle books (you get back to the book page by pressing the Back button after browsing Wikipedia).
   This is the great unmentioned feature of the Kindle.  For some reason it's not mentioned in review comparisons.  Great for those who are interested in finding out more about something they're reading. Certainly good for students.

An example of the free 3G usefulness
  I have a NookColor, which I really like for color magazines and lightweight portable web-browsing and I enjoy it without rooting it.  The Kindle is just tons more relaxing for my eyes for sustained reading of books, so the two types of devices are complementary in my case.  The new Notepad app (see discussion of how people use it at the Kindle forums) has me using it even more.
  But when I leave the house, it's the Kindle that goes with me.  It's lighter, easier to read outdoors, and it has that free 3G Net access, which is key for me, as it is for Altman.

  The NookColor doesn't have that, so it stays home.  This was emphasized on March 20, when electricity in my city went out, for several hours that night.  I looked out the window and the whole city was dark.  No WiFi, no TV, and that's when an e-reader comes in handy (or a tablet though it has less battery time).
  With e-Ink readers, a clip-on battery-powered lamp or case w/built-in lamp, or something I use for everything, the Beam n Read, are  useful at night or in dim light.

 But I'm so used to being connected to the Net, I went to my NookColor to do some email, forgetting that this was not possible, because while I can read books and magazines on it w/o electricity, I need the router to be On to use WiFi.

  As usual, the Kindle was the answer. I keep the battery high, as recommended by Kindle Support Team.
I was able to do brief emails and caught up some with Facebook (which needs a special URL for Kindle access). and also tweeted about the outage and using the Kindle.  The link is to the actual tweet.

Mobiweb file of best-for-Kindle links to websites
 The good Kindle link for Facebook (touch.facebook.com) is included in the freely downloadable "MobiWeb" file, a booklet of URLs or links that work best with the Kindle, plus info on workarounds when encountering navigational oddities at some sites.
  Included in this also are umbrella-menu sites like, Kinstant, ReadingTheNet, Skweezer, and Cantoni.  You can open it as you would any Kindle 'book' and click on links to be taken to the sites, if your wireless is 'On'... Otherwise, it asks if you'd like to turn Wireless on to do that.

You can download the file at http://bit.ly/kmobiweb.  That download will work on the Kindles.  Information and tips on using the file are at http://bit.ly/kwmobiweb.

As for the NookColor, rooting it may be easy for many active on the forums, but it has not always been as easy for others, and Barnes and Noble will be updating the device to run Flash and will have an appstore available mid-April.  These new features would satisfy most who buy e-readers and want some tablet features, I think, without the hassle of re-doing the rooting each time B & N releases software updates.  As mentioned in NPR's article, you should know that the warranty is voided, on a rooted Nook, and many are willing to take that risk, since there is always help on the forums.  But I'm not recommending it to those who are not very familiar with file management tools.


Kindle 3's   (UK: Kindle 3's),   DX Graphite

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Check often: Temporarily-free late-listed non-classics or recently published ones
  Guide to finding Free Kindle books and Sources.  Top 100 free bestsellers.
UK-Only: recently published non-classics, bestsellers, or £5 Max ones
    Also, UK customers should see the UK store's Top 100 free bestsellers.

Below are ways to Share this post if you'd like others to see it.
-- The Send to Kindle button works well only on Firefox currently.

Send to Kindle

(Older posts have older Kindle model info. For latest models, see CURRENT KINDLES page. )
If interested, you can also follow my add'l blog-related news at Facebook and Twitter
Questions & feedback are welcome in the Comment areas (tho' spam is deleted). Thanks!

ZDNet today on: Amazon's Secret Android Tablet ?

KINDLE'S SECRET SIBLING: AMAZON'S ANDROID TABLET
  That's ZDNet's Jason Perlow who is going there in bold letters without a question mark, for ZDNet -- and for once I somewhat agree with him that it's possible although not likely for awhile, and not this year.

  It's occurred to me for days that Amazon bought Touchco quite some time ago and I've read that they're busy but Amazon has no plans for a touch screen for the Kindle E-Reader, they say.  Smart wording.  I also read that Qualcomm feels their Mirasol technology (e-paper like, muted color, fast enough to do video and easy on batteries) may be ready to be in e-readers by year-end.  At the same time, full-scale production could not happen until next year, another article said, so who knows.  Testing would take months after that.

  At the same time, Amazon's Lab126 has had job ads for some time, for video and animation programmers.  Why?  And why not a less-expensive LCD Tablet with a *secondary* function of e-reading, for color magazines, travel books, cook books with enticing illustrations, and for ENHANCED KINDLE BOOKS that are coming out with multimedia enhancements while a plain-text version isn't available?  One is by Rick Springfield, Late, Late at Night.  That's a Kindle book obviously available only for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch devices...for now.  There are other enhanced Kindle books also.

  Would Amazon give up that area?  They can use Apple's iPad well without worrying about developing and maintaining another piece of hardware/software.   But, there is a target audience that won't be interested in anything BUT a color device and which doesn't care about long-form reading particularly nor about black and white E-Ink.  As Barnes and Noble marketing knows, there are also families with young children who are blissed out by the iPad or would like something like that if it weren't so expensive while somewhat fragile for that market.

  I've thought that Jeff Bezos' talk with Charlie Rose made clear he didn't want color E-ink for the Kindle - it's not ready.  But what about a tablet that concentrates on younger reading, color books, magazines, and web browsing.

  Would Bezos allow another e-reader to partner with Qualcomm for the first Mirasol e-reader/tablet?  Would he give up the relatively inexpensive LCD color market whether or not people can easily view an LCD outdoors?

  So, I've wondered.  And now ZDNet has come out with an eye-catching headline on Amazon's "Secret" Tablet.  Conjecture but interesting.

According to Perlow and cohorts, Amazon has the infrastructure and support needed for a successful tablet.  Read his column for the details though.  He speculates:

' The only reason why Amazon would want to develop its own App Store would be to offer the service to low-cost device manufacturers in order to compete with the Android Market, or to provide an app ecosystem for a device of its very own. '

  He's taking a "wild guess" -- and there is NOTHING on this but speculation.

  Although, he says,

' licensing to 3rd-parties is not out of the question ... based on my examination of the initial materials which have leaked, Amazon’s App Store is most likely to have a “curated” model similar to Apple’s App Store, in order to maintain quality control as well as deny potential competitors access to it.  This is in stark contrast to the Android Market, which is effectively a Wild West with limited acceptance criteria. '

  He wonders if it might even sport a dual mode transflective LCD display (w/an e-paper capability) such as Pixel Q's.  If so, it'd be the first ereader tablet that would be readable outdoors.  We're getting way ahead of ourselves though, and he adds this disclaimer for those hoping for something this year:

  "When this Amazon Tablet is likely to appear is anyone’s guess.
    It’s unlikely to be this coming holiday season."

  Well, I agree on that too, because putting out a bug-free model with such a change in technology, just to catch the holiday season, would be a bad idea.

So, ZDNet has some eyes for its latest column, and I thought I'd report on their conjecture and my own, though it's extremely UNLIKELY there'll be anything at all ready before next spring.

I wonder how many would be happy to have an inexpensive, unusable in sunlight e-reader tablet that uses LCD color.  The image in the header is of two Microsoft Windows Tablets.  Might Amazon partner with someone else on the hardware?  I don't think so.  I think Control is important.

  Many say that, for themselves, all they care about is color, but what if it's smaller and they can use it only indoors and it has short battery life, weighs a pound, and takes forever to charge? Do people want that? Wouldn't people want to wait for the flexible e-ink surface that's coming before spending money on one for children?

  At any rate, I might ultimately like a *secondary* e-reader that does do ePub and color, as an extra reader.  How much would I pay for that? I don't know.  I haven't been tempted by anything yet (because I wouldn't pay that much for a secondary reader unless I know it functions well and that'll take some time), though I'm gadget-attracted -- for now, it doesn't fill a need, in my case.  Probably because I have such a great, small but multi-featured, 2.7 lb netbook.

 A want, maybe -- sometimes.  But now the Galaxy 7" Tablet, with 2 cameras, an SD slot, a web browser - with up to 8 open windows at one time - and which runs Flash (tho' slow to load it), plus an e-reader function, is getting both very good reviews yesterday (one by Engadget) and a meh one today from another reviewer.  For one thing, it's small but would cost a bit more than the larger iPad (portability costs as do the additional features the iPad doesn't have).  It's a confusing area, the 7" e-reader/tablet field.  One to step into carefully, for both buyers and makers.


Kindle 3's   (UK: Kindle 3's),   DX Graphite

---

Check often: Temporarily-free late-listed non-classics or recently published ones
  Guide to finding Free Kindle books and Sources.  Top 100 free bestsellers.
UK-Only: recently published non-classics, bestsellers, or highest-rated ones
    Also, UK customers should see the UK store's Top 100 free bestsellers. Below are ways to Share this post if you'd like others to see it.
-- The Send to Kindle button works well only on Firefox currently.

Send to Kindle

(Older posts have older Kindle model info. For latest models, see CURRENT KINDLES page. )
If interested, you can also follow my add'l blog-related news at Facebook and Twitter
Questions & feedback are welcome in the Comment areas (tho' spam is deleted). Thanks!