Pressgram 2.0 Features More Publishing Platforms And New Photo-Editing Tools

Pressgram, the Instagram alternative app that was "built for an independent Web" and launched by founder John Saddington last September, has just been updated to version 2.0. Most significantly, Pressgram 2.0 sees the removal of the app's social networking layer — a move that, according to Saddington, brings the app back to basics and refocuses it toward being "the best mobile image publishing system available," rather than just another photo-sharing social network (read: another Instagram). For pre-2.0 versions of Pressgram, the social networking layer will continue to work until the end of the month only. Now that we've gotten the removal out of the way, let's focus on the new additions brought by Pressgram 2.0. Foremost among these is support for new publishing platforms. Now, you can use Pressgram to publish your images on WordPress.com, WordPress.org, Tumblr, Google+, Blogger, Typepad, MovableType, Twitter, Facebook, and Squarespace. What's more, Pressgram now supports multiple accounts per publishing platform. Pressgram 2.0 also introduces the following editing features:

Fundamentals - This free pack includes your fundamental editing features like cropping and size manipulation, water drops, focus, and transform.

Core Lighting - Take your mobile editing up a notch with our core lighting pack like exposure management, brightness, contrast, and fade.

Advanced Effects - For those that need an even finer set of tools including sharpen, saturation and temperature controls, and highlights.

Refinement - Get the exact look with universal vignette, orange and green adjustments, clarity, and a grain effect for style.

Borders - Add stylized borders for your images to give them a bit of panache and your own personal signature look.

Text Treatment - While images do in fact speak 1,000 words, we sometimes need 1,001 – add a qualitative text treatment for impact.

Color and Light - Turn a “problem” into a statement with our lomographic-inspired effects. Add a bit of flavor to your already great images.

Textures - Give your images a bit of character through our classic texture treatments and design your own look for personal image branding.

Shapes - Add some fun to your images which will set them apart; besides, you’re already known for being a bit different, right?

Custom Watermarks - Protect your images even more with a customized watermark for your brand, business, and creative work.

Optimized for iPhone and iPod touch running iOS 6.1 or later, Pressgram 2.0 is available now in the App Store for free, with in-app purchases offered for unlocking the premium editing tools. [gallery link="file" order="DESC"]