Android 4.4 KitKat Photo Editor

Hexamob | Emma Rossinyol 11/6/2013


Android 4.4 KitKat Photo Editor

A few days ago, Google launched the new version of Android OS, Android 4.4 KitKat. This version includes several improvements regarding performance (even in less powerful smartphones), organization and functionalities. One of the new features is the “non-destructive” Photo Editor.

The photo editor includes several improvements, including geometry (straightening and similar) and individual tools (contrast, brightness, and gamma). The effect bar allows you to navigate though the effects applied and remove the ones that you didn’t want. The so called “non-destructive” editing means that you can always go back to the original size, no matter what you have done.

The interface is now slightly different for the phone and the tablet, improving thus the individual features of each device. The control of the filters and effects are also enhanced. A much finer details can be adjusted now, including gradient filters, per-channel saturation and local adjustments. We can also save presets and store them for latter.

Another interesting news concern the export features of the software. You can now export your images, changing their size and quality.

Nicolas Roard, a Google software engineer, has uploaded a demonstration video on YouTube of this new Android 4.4 KitKat Photo Editor. The video has been made on a Nexus 7 tablet, and shows the “non-destructive” natures of this application.

Printing is also easier as it appears as an option in a menu when viewing an image. You can print as a local PDF file or send the file to a printer for a hard copy. In that case, you will have options for paper, color of black & white, size, page numbers to print, etc.

The new features give more flexibility to the Android Photo Editor and improve the overall functionality of this app. You can find more information in the following websites: ElAndroidLibre (Spanish), 3T.com (English).