Photodream for iPhone

Having fun with pictures has become one of the regular uses for the iPhone and the latest iPod touch. Photodream from Hint App is unlikely to add to your fun, though.

You can take a picture from within the $2 app or choose an image from your photo library. You can then dress up your image, choosing effects from several categories—sunglasses, necklaces, hair and, tattoos. The recent 4.1 update added new content to the app.

Icons along the bottom of the screen give you choices for what to use; pick one, and it appears on the image. The add-ons can be twisted, colored and resized, using options along the top of the screen. I found it interesting that the app uses layers for placing these add-ons, something that users not familiar with the ins and outs of basic Photoshop might find a bit frustrating.

After finishing, a share feature lets you can send your creation to Facebook, Twitter, or Picassa. Although there is also an e-mail feature, it does not connect to your address book, so unless you have all your friends’ addresses memorized, it is easier to send the images from the built-in mail app on your iOS device.

This app could be a lot of fun for young kids, who enjoy dressing up pictures of parents, siblings and even pets, although some of the content included might be questionable. I’m not sure I want my daughter putting gold chains that say “Sexy” on herself or her sister.

This does not seem like the kind of app that anyone over the age of 12 would get more than about five minutes of entertainment out of, and some of the items included could be iffy for younger audiences. A lite version is available for free, with far fewer options for items to add on. Considering Photodream’s limited appeal, the lite variety might be the best way to go if you just want to put some silly glasses on your friends.

[ Jeff Phillips is an educator, photographer and technology advocate. Find him on his blog or podcast.]