Every now and then an App comes across my desk that not only makes me take a step back, but it also forces me to switch from what I was using to it. This is one of those times. I get literally dozens of "please review my App" requests a day. We try to get to all the ones that we can and at least look at them to see if they are potentially a "Best" App. In many cases there is a natural bias when an App shows up that competes with one that we're already using. However, I usually look just to make sure that I'm not missing out on something really cool. Flickr Studio is just such an App. 

 

Complete Access to your Flickr Account in a BEAUTIFUL Interface

I'm a sucker for a pretty interFace. The first thing I noticed when I fired up Flickr Studio (and after logging in) was the that interface was gorgeous. It's very easy for an App developer to put too many things on the screen at once and with a Flickr App you could easily end up with every possible option on the first screen. Instead Flickr Studio starts off with a self running slideshow of images from Flickr, your contacts, etc. From there you can see the tabbed interface and access any part of Flickr that you want. The "You" option of course just like Flickr takes you to all of YOUR images, sets, etc. You can quickly and easily see any of your photos as well as share them as needed. You get full access to the image's metadata, EXIF data, geo-location, comments, views, favorites, etc. 

Beyond access to your content you can go to your Contacts and see their photos as well. If you're participating in any Groups you have access to those photos too. You've got it all. Beyond your existing photos you can search the map for photos taken nearby or anywhere in the world. 

It's an easy interface, but I was lost for a bit at first. While I could immediately see how to do just about everything I wanted to do at first there was a couple of features that I knew the App had that I couldn't find at first. There is an onscreen help button that you can tap at any time you want to see what a particular button does.

Even with this I couldn't immediately find how to upload new photos or geotag existing photos. I knew the App could do it, but I didn't see those options right off the bat. Nothing jumped out and said "upload". The options I was looking for are in the "Studio" tab. From the Studio tab you can upload a single photo or an entire batch. Photos that you're uploading can be geotagged with your current location, which is great for those photos that you import via the Camera Connection Kit from your regular camera. You can also batch geotag images that you've already uploaded. Just find the location that the photo was taken on the map first and then simply tap all the photos that were taken at that location.

Did I mention slideshows with transitions? 

You can view any of your photos via an instant slideshow (Ken Burns Effect and all) just by tapping the Play button whenever you want. Sharing options include email, Twitter, Facebook and Addthis.

This App is Freakin' Sweet and has become my NEW default Flickr App for iPad.

If you're a Flickr user and looking for the BEST Flickr App for your iPad, this is it!

You can get Flickr Studio for $4.99 here from the iTunes