6. A bit of history
● Released in 2009 after Apple introduced the 3GS with “auto-focus”
feature.
● At the time, there were several apps with “HDR” in their names but
all they did was single-image contrast enhancement.
● Initially version was low-resolution (1 MP); current version supports
up to 19 MP.
● Apple’s introduction of built-in HDR in 2010 didn’t kill the app. Not
all HDR’s are created equal; many like our results better.
7. Challenges
● Automatically aligning photos with drastically different
exposures
● The merge should be as natural-looking as possible.
We don’t want halo artifacts.
● Image processing can need a LOT of memory but
memory is a prized resource on mobile
● Doing things fast
8. The Ups and Downs of App
Development
Highlights
● Appreciative users
● Was #1 in Japan and #3 in the US, for a short time
● Was inaugural member of Apple’s “App Store Hall of Fame”
Setbacks
● 8-month period when updates kept getting rejected by Apple
Lessons & Anecdotes