When Google acquired Snapseed in 2012, much of the photo editing app's functionalities were incorporated into Google+ photos. The Snapseed app has only had one update since, leading many to think that Google was interested in the photo editing technology rather than the standalone app.
But now, Google has released a major update of the app including a new logo, It clearly thinks Snapseed can still compete in the extremely crowded photo editing app market.
Nils Kokemohr, the creator of Snapseed, announced the new release in a Google+ post on April 9. Kokemohr is the CTO of Nik Software, the company that built Snapseed and was bought by Google in 2012.
The new design puts a simple histogram under your photo, and conceals the app's tools and filters under an unassuming floating action button.
"The new Snapseed app gives you the precision and control of professional photo editing software on your phone or tablet," says Kokemohr. The update adds new tools including lens blur, tonal contrast, intelligent perspective transform, and spot healing. It allows you to apply filters to different sections of your photograph using a brush tool. It also contains a new "stacks" feature that allows you to undo any changes or edits as you go.
Kokemohr claims that what once required a desktop computer, costly software and hours of editing work, can now be accomplished quickly with his app, which is available to download free on iOS or Android.
It's a long overdue update for Snapseed, which won Apple's coveted iPad App Of The Year award back in 2011, but has been overshadowed in recent years by competitors like Instagram, Darkroom and Pixelmator.
Nik Software also produces a range of more complex desktop photo editing software for Google including Silver Efex Pro, which helps users master the art of black and white photography, and Dfine, which helps noise reduction in photos.
