San Rafael, California-based Graphita wants to let people add a little bling to their photos.
The company offers a Flash-based application that enables users to upload photos and add a personal touch via an easy to use toolset filled with stamps, text icons, captions, bubbles and more (Bubbleply does much the same for videos). The Graphita rich toolkit is easy to use to add, resize and customize each addition to a photo creation. The product is simplified for the masses and offers users the option of an authenticated or anonymous experience – thus positioning itself for higher adoption rates. Currently, Graphita is in closed beta and does not appear to support the addition of animated icons which might be something worth looking into implementing before its official launch in mid-May.
Upon customizing a photo, users can share them via email, print and send them back to their favorite photo sites (Flickr, MySpace, etc.), or even send them to photo pick-up locations (Costco, Walgreens, etc.). In addition, photo creations can be placed directly on consumer products like coffee mugs, tee shirts or other items. Graphita does not appear to offer its own social networking hooks but rather leverages existing products and services. However, registered users have the option to share uploaded photos in the public gallery or keep them private.
In the coming months Graphita is looking to further integrate with existing products so that users can have quick access to the Graphita toolset from their favorite online photo product. Competitors to Graphita include PikiPimp and Comeeko who both offer photo annotations. Of course, larger online photo products like AOL Pictures, Flickr and PhotoBucket could develop and add similar features right into their products, thus squashing Graphita chances for web annotation domination.
Editor’s Note: Frank Gruber writes Somewhat Frank, is the co-founder of TECH cocktail and is a product manager at AOL. He is pictured below along with fellow AOL’er Orli Yakuel.
