Clone yourself with Split Pic

Split Pic is a new iOS app from developer Aaron Ray, aka "EasyTiger." It's available now as a free ad-supported download from the App Store, with an additional in-app purchase to unlock the full, ad-free version with additional functionality. Split Pic is a photography app designed to allow users to use a split-screen effect for various purposes. The main use that the app suggests is to use it for a "cloning" effect, whereby the subject of the photograph poses in one side of the photograph, then moves to the other to look as if there is more than one of them. The free version of the app allows users to split the photograph either twice or three times horizontally or vertically; the full version, obtainable via a $0.99 in-app purchase, allows for four-way splits either horizontally or vertically. Once a split layout has been selected, the user is then prompted to take their photographs. The camera interface allows access to all of the iOS camera functionality, including flash and the ability to switch between front and back cameras. If desired, different cameras can be used for different parts of the image. There is also a timer facility, allowing for automatic shooting at 1, 5, 10, 15 or 30 second intervals -- good for setting up the camera on a tripod or flat surface and then moving between positions without having to return to it and press the shutter again. Once the image has been taken, the split point may be moved back and forth at will, and the strength of the "blur" filter applied to the boundary between the two images adjusted. A variety of Instagram-style filters may also be applied to the final image, which may then be saved or shared via email, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Flickr or Tumblr. Twitter functionality uses iOS 5+'s built-in support for the service; Facebook support goes via the external app; and Tumblr and Flickr support allow the user to log in via within the app iteself. The apparent Instagram support actually reveals itself to be an "Open With..." dialog when tapped, allowing the photo to also be sent to other apps that support this functionality, including (on my device) Evernote, Skitch, Air Sharing, Electric Slide and Dropbox. Split Pic is a good, no-frills photography app that does what it sets out to do well. It doesn't add its own unnecessary proprietary social network, instead focusing on its core functionality and allowing the pictures to be shared on the well-established mainstays of mobile social media. This is a sensible move, as at this stage the market is already saturated with a huge variety of different mobile photo sharing networks, none of which have even come close to the popularity of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram in particular. By focusing on the core photography functionality, users can download the app with confidence, without feeling obliged to pass their details on to yet another third-party service. The app also works well in its free incarnation -- the ads are unobtrusive, consisting solely of a small banner on the initial screen, and the two- and three-way splits will be enough for many users. The $0.99 in-app purchase to remove ads is also a small price to pay for the additional functionality, so users who find the app to be a good addition to their virtual camera bag will have few qualms in paying for it. It would perhaps be nice to see some additional split options -- perhaps diagonal splits? -- but the app in its current incarnation is a simple, unassuming and effective solution for those who wish to make use of a specific effect. As a relatively new release, Split Pic is not currently listed on the App Store leaderboards, but does appear in the "New" section of the App Store's Photography category. Check back shortly to follow its progress with AppData, our tracking service for mobile and social apps and developers.

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Clone yourself with Split Pic

Pete Davison

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Pete Davison