Adobe Systems Inc the creators of the photo-editing software, Photoshop, on Thursday launched a free, basic online version of its popular product called Photoshop Express in an effort to make picture editing more accessible to a wider audience. The newly-launched Photoshop Express is in the beta stage.
Adobe Systems Inc has launched Photoshop Express in an effort to capitalize on the growing trend among teens, young adults and an array of web users who are posting videos and pictures online at a rapid rate. Web users who provide content for YouTube, MySpace, Facebook, Hi5 and blogs now have an additional outlet in Photoshop Express where they can edit their content before posting them online.
Adobe's launch of the free Photoshop Express online comes year after photo-editing/sharing companies such as Photobucket Inc, Picnik and Shutterfly Inc made available their free online photo services. But even as Adobe enters the online photo-editing market much later than their competitors, the photo-editing giant hopes that its notoriety among users offline and worldwide will garner the results they want for Photoshop Express.
Adobe says it hopes that by providing Photoshop Express for free online that many online users will not only choose their free service over the competition, but also that online users will upgrade from Photoshop Express to other Photoshop software such as Photoshop Elements. So, the launch of a free Photoshop Express online is as much a strategic move to generate sales of its pricier software as it to drive online traffic from Adobe's competitors.
To use Photoshop Express online web users are required to have Flash 9 players and the free version comes equipped with two gigabytes of storage space online. Amateur photographers can find basic editing tools such as cropping, sharpening, red eye correction, imaging rotation and converting images to black and white that is already available on other Photoshop software.
John Nack, senior product manger for Photoshop, confirmed the development of Photoshop Express last year after industry insiders floated the rumors for months. The confirmation of the free online Photoshop Express last year also followed the introduction of Adobe Premiere Express, a free online video editor that was previously launched.
