Review of Picasa Web Albums
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Google used the name Picasa Web Albums because Picasa is an established name in the world of photo organizers and most people find it the best utility in managing the photograhs and they've tried to use the Goodwill of the software to make this new service a bit popular. Another reason can be that they want more and more people to use Picasa software too!
Interface : Ok, the interface of the web service seems to be nice and clean. It is the case with Google that it always comes up with clean designs and that actually makes the difference. Most visitors want to actually use clean designs only and actually love them. Did you forget the success story of Google search :p. The service is heavily powered with AJAX and allows you to do almost all experiments with the albums, like moving, copying & re-arranging the photographs and that too with simple Drag and Drop. The slideshow is nice as it brings out the same effect which we get when we are watching a video in Windows Media Player. All in all, it is extremely nice & simple in interface.
Features : Picasa web albums is right now under testing phase, so we are yet to get more and more features out of it. However, let me bring out some of the important features of Picasa web albums. Here's the list of features :
* Provides 250 MB of space.
* Allows to upgrade at the price of $ 25/year for 6 GB of space.
* Works with Picasa Software.
* Makes Photo management a bit simpler.
* Makes sharing a bit easier.
* Allows you to do small editing of the photographs.
Well, this is a very small list as of now and not much can be expected out of service which is under testing phase and was launched yesterday only. However, people are expecting new features from this service. If at all, Google will lauch the API of Picasa Web Albums then we'll be definitely get to see some great tools.
Ease of Use : Because the interface is so simple, it is extremely easy to use. It is just that people will need to look out for the buttons and nothing else. Everything is so simple and needs no explanantion. Even if people do get stuck somewhere then they can always refer to the VAST help section, which is common with Google Products.
Value : The value of the service is'nt priceless as it is not completely free. I mean it is free but provides a little less space and that is not Google like thing. However, if we look the the upgrade option too then it is way better than other services.
Well, the service seems to be good, however was not upto the mark or may be I expected a lot from the service. Maybe I am happy with Slide.Com and so much that I am not very keen about this service at this point of time. The biggest step, which must be taken up by Google is that of releasing the API of Picasa Web Albums, that will certainly boost the service as many developers love to develop plugins, softwares, extensions of the services. Another feature which I would like to see will be changing the look and feel of albums, I mean it must be controled by user. All in all a good service but needs lot of work to become the best service around.
Rating : 3 Dinos Out of 5
Product Reviewed : Picasa Web Albums
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