14 DAY TRIAL // Google is making the most out of its Nik Software acquisition and is now bringing Snapseed to the desktop. The photo editing app was the main reason the search giant bought the German company.
Since the acquisition, Google brought Snapseed to Android and built some of its features into the mobile Google+ apps.
The integration continues with the new Snapseed the desktop Google+ site, only available for Chrome.
There's no app to install, but you will need Google's browser not just because the company decided to arbitrarily limit functionality, but because Snapseed for Google+ relies on Native Client, a technology only supported by Chrome.
If you do run Chrome and are a Google+ user you'll spot the new Edit feature. Google+ has had a photo editor for a while now, but it has now been replaced by Snapseed, though the functionality is available via the same Edit button.
If you've used Snapseed before, the options will feel familiar. Not only does the interface look the same, but all the features work exactly as you'd expect from the mobile apps.
All the basic options are there, starting with Auto Enhance, which makes the entire experience as simple as possible. Auto Enhance analyzes your photo and makes several adjustments to bring out the gem inside your rough diamond.
If you want to dig deeper, you can start with the basic stuff, color adjustments like brightness, contrast, saturation, and so on, as well as photo adjustments such as rotation or crop. Finally, if you're looking for a more distinctive look, albeit not an original one, you can try any of the customizable filters Snapseed comes with.
The new editor is rolling out gradually; it should probably be available to most people by now. Once again, it's only available in Chrome, but you don't need to install anything.
