Photo enthusiasts who have not yet taken a bite of Apple's iPad device, this could be the ultimate tease.
Adobe has revealed Tuesday, April 8, that a companion to the Lightroom software on desktop is now available: the Lightroom mobile.
"With the launch of Lightroom mobile, we've unlocked professional-class photographic workflows from the confines of the desktop," said vice president Winston Hendrickson of Creative Media Solutions at Adobe.
The mobile version carries over powerful Lightroom editing tools to the portable device, thus making it easier for users to edit photos outside their desktop computers. Lightroom mobile brings about essential tools in photography and also makes use of new Smart Preview technologies in photo editing. This also boasts of a powerful synchronization design that automatically connects to the Lightroom 5 on the Web, mobile devices and the desktop, giving users an easier way to administer and edit photos from various devices.
Hendrickson added that both Photoshop and Lightroom have redefined digital photography using the desktop, now allowing for seamless synchronization of photos among different devices.
Based on a few reviews from Lightroom mobile users, the app has the Basic Panel adjustments similar to the desktop version. The screenshots showed an uncluttered and easily manageable interface.
Jeff Carlson, who is an author of The iPad for Photographers and Adobe Lightroom mobile: Your Lightroom on the Go, said the mobile version has transformed the way he is able to work with his photographs, providing easy access out of the confines of his computer and especially during his most creative and comfortable moments without the desktop. He also said the mobile version somehow becomes his soft photo portfolio on a portable device.
"As I add or remove images from a collection in Lightroom mobile or on the computer, the changes stay synchronized. When I need to show my work those photos are already set up to be viewed," he added.
As part of the Adobe Creative Cloud Photoshop Photography Program, iPad owners have access to Lightroom mobile on iPad as well as Lightroom 5 and Photoshop CC on the desktop for a $9.99 subscription fee per month. Otherwise, users can freely download the app if it's not under the said program. The mobile version is available now for iPad 2 and later for iOS7 from the App Store. For Mac and Windows users, it requires the Lightroom 5.4.
Lightroom mobile is available in four languages at the moment: English, Japanese, German and French. Perhaps, the others will have to wait for a while.
The company said the Android version of Lightroom mobile is in development. Still, that's good news for Android lovers.
