This app has a lot going for it, and in many ways, it combines the functionality of several programs into a single app. For instance, how many times have you seen a collage app with a built-in browser? If your answer was anywhere close to ZERO, then... Ding ding ding! give the lady a prize! Because it's virtually non-existent to see that kind of option. And silly as it may sound, people are a lot more likely to explore the web for images when they don't have to open a separate app to do so. So one star for that right off the bat!Secondly, the app has 125 built-in shapes to start you off. Not a single one of them is lame, and I've seen apps for $1.99 that offer fewer stickers or clip art than this. So, another star for loading your app with free goodies.I also like the fact that the app comes with a tutorial, because it was unclear at first as to where I should start. I liked that the tutorial was basic enough to finish in less than 2 minutes, but that the info button has a lot more detailed explanations.I also appreciate that this developer got rid of iAds in the app after people registered their dislike. I don't fault anyone for trying to monetize their apps and get paid for all the efforts they put into their programs, but iAds are universally despised. So thanks for being responsive to what users asked for.There are a few things the app could benefit from, however. The first, of course, would be an update. If you go a year without a single new feature or bug fix, it's pretty safe for people to assume the app is abandon-ware.Secondly, I was surprised that the app was lacking a few basics, such as a "Home" button for starting a new project. If you're unhappy with what you're working on, or bored with it and want to start anew, there's no obvious way to simply clear the screen and start a new project. A button that says "Clear Screen" or "Start New Project" is definitely needed.Also, it would be nice to have a Magic Wand tool, to easily select portions of an image without having to manually, (and tediously), cut out an image from the background.I'd also like to see some of the terminology get in line with standard terms for layers. For instance, I found it confusing to see the terms "Canvas" and "Stencil" used to describe the top and bottom layers. As a Photoshop user for over 15 years, it just seems weird to think of the image I was to cut out as a "stencil", because that brings up an entirely different metaphor in my mind. Using more industry-standard terms would help to make this app more professional and user-friendly to people who are used to very different terminology.This app offers 10 different effects you can apply to images, (such as Sharpen, Blur, Halftone, Polka Dot, Toon, etc.), and it even allows you to transform your photos to allow them to be placed in a 3D space. There's also a Color Picker which allows you to colorize the tint of an image, and it offers three different blend modes. The app also keeps clutter to a minimum by using drop-down menus which can be closed easily by simply pulling upward on the screen to close all open panels at once. Easy-Peasy! And, crucially, it also offers Undo and Redo for those times when you make a mistake or just change your mind.These feature are the kind of thing you expect from Photoshop, but not from inexpensive apps like this. So, as you can see, there's a lot to love here, but also some things to improve. For about two bucks, you get a mini-version of Photoshop with a number of features that even the ten dollar Photoshop Touch app doesn't even offer, (like the built-in browser and clip art.)So, should you invest your money in this app? Personally, I'm glad I did. I like the cleanness of the interface and all the advanced capabilities. It's been fun exploring and continuing to be surprised by features that are way beyond most apps in this range. In fact, I can't help but wonder if this guy would do better by RAISING his price to that of Photoshop Touch, instead of lowering it to .99 cents, like he did today when he put it on sale. Because a higher price is a lot more in line with all the features this app offers.And, of course, I hope he'll start putting out updates now and then, too. Because with just a few additions, this can easily be a 5-Star app.(P.S.: You have to like a guy who hides a love-note to his wife in the app, which says: "Dedicated to my wife Sonya for her beauty, her love, and her support of my endeavors." Pretty cool.)
