Blurb, the San Francisco-based book and magazine self-publishing company, launched its first mobile app on Monday. Simply called Blurb, the free app allows iPhone and iPad users to design and order high-quality photo books right from their mobile devices.
“We wanted to ensure the app we developed is fast and easy to use, while maintaining professional-quality, and allows users to share with friends and family,” Blurb CEO Todd Larsen said in a statement.
Blurb simplifies the normal photo book design process by providing a streamlined set of options. Users can select from just two sizes, either 7 x 7 or 5 x 5 inches. Simply choose the desired photos contained on your iPhone or iPad and Blur automatically loads them onto virtual book pages. You can then change the crop of the photos as you see fit and add captions if desired. Images can be set to fill a page or leave a border.
While the app itself is free, the books are obviously not. A 20-page, 7 x 7-inch book will run you $30, while the smaller 5 x 5 goes for $15. Additional pages can be added (up to 80 in total) for $0.25 and $0.20, respectively. Users can also share the book via Facebook, Twitter, or even through SMS messages.
In keeping with the theme of simplicity, all books are printed on a single paper type. Blurb uses a high-end luster paper that the company says offers great tonal range and contrast.
While the Blurb app may be light on options, its ease of use makes it an attractive option for anyone who wants to get a collection of photos off of their phones and into the real world. It could also come in handy this holiday season for creating some fast and easy personalized gifts for family.
