Fuzel
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Fuzel updates its collage maker with animation and music
I looked at the Fuzel app last year and found it a nice way to make some striking collages on iOS. A new update puts your images in motion with tasteful zooms, and lets you add music from your iTunes library or use the music contained in the app. You can also select frames and the arrangement of photos or make static collages. You can create your own photo arrangement instead of relying on the provided templates. Variations can easily number in the hundreds. The app lets you determine the length of your video, and changes can reflect the beats in the music. Making an attractive collage is easy, with intuitive commands and an undo feature. Once your collage is done, it can be saved to your photo roll, or shared via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Flickr and Tumblr. The app works well, but it is not universal. I saw a couple of crashes using it scaled up on my third-generation iPad. It was rock solid on my iPhone 5s. While the app is free, there are a variety of in-app purchases that range from US$0.99 to $4.99. The purchases get you more frames and other graphic elements. When you save your work in the free version, you get a Fuzel logo at the lower-right corner, and it can be removed with an in-app purchase. I would have preferred there be no logo, and the non-animated older version did not have one. Fuzel requires iOS 7 or later, and it is optimized for the iPhone 5. I can only vouch for the app stability on an iPhone, but you may have better luck on your iPad. As the app is free, it is easy to check.
Fuzel is a standout collage creator for your iPhone
I've seen a lot of collage software come and go. Some are quite powerful and keep growing, such as Diptic. Others don't really have interesting templates or don't allow you enough creative freedom to let you make the collage that fits your mood or your personality. The last few days, I've been playing with a free app called Fuzel, and it helped me create some striking collages. Best of all, it gave me the flexibility to move and transform the elements without being restricted to stiff templates. Fuzel starts off with a quick tutorial, then it's time to open your camera roll and select some photos. There are plenty of templates, but the best ones are the ones that aren't just a bunch of rectangles bolted together. You can cut and divide the frames into smaller ones; you can merge frames into a single frame; and you can drag the borders around as you please. I was happy to see my new collage was saved at full resolution, but there are smaller options when you are mailing them or sending them to social networks. Swiping the screen will undo your last change, and a collage can be saved to edit later. I tried the app with some of my landscape photos, and the results were excellent. This was the first collage app that made me want to print poster-size versions of these collages for hanging on my walls. The app also features in-app purchases, which it calls credit packs. They are themed objects and labels to further customize your collage, but I didn't feel the need for them. They might be handy if I wanted holiday elements for a collage, but I let the photos speak for themselves. Fuzel is a very impressive app. It's not universal, so you'll get the best results on an iPhone or an iPod touch. The app requires iOS 7 or later, and it's optimized for the iPhone 5. With the holidays here, most of us will be taking more pictures than ever. Fuzel can give your photos a fresh look, and you'll enjoy sharing the results with family and friends.
