Ford Offers Flex Photo Software For iPhone, iTouch

Ford Motor Co. announced Tuesday it would offer iPhone and iPod Touch users a free software application from the Apple App Store that enables them to enhance existing or new photographs, courtesy of the all-new 2009 Ford Flex.

"Flex consumers love new technology, and we know that a lot of them have iPhones, so we wanted to offer them a free application that is both a cool and useful tool," said Usha Raghavachari, Ford crossover marketing communications manager.

Ford partnered with software developer, the Tao Agency, to develop the Flex Photo Lab application, which allows iPhone users to take new or archived photos and apply filters to improve image quality or add dynamic effects with the touch of a finger, or a tilt and a twist.

"The application behaves essentially like the iPhone itself," said Jeff Schamanek, vice president for emerging trends at Wunderman, the Ford agency that worked with Tao to develop the software. "You manipulate the photos the same way by scrolling, pinching and tilting using the unique iPhone features."

Once users enter the Flex Photo Lab "Darkroom," they will be able to add one or more of the following filters to their photos:

* Kaleidoscope: Tilt, twist or touch your iPhone to change photo patterns and colors.
* Brightness/Contrast: Touch up or down to adjust brightness; left or right for contrast.
* Hue/Saturation:  Touch up or down to adjust hue; left or right for saturation.
* Electric Lines: Touch to draw intense glowing lines on your photo.
*Spot Burner: Touch to darken, or burn, select areas of your photo.
*Spot Lighter: Touch to lighten select areas of your photo.

Raghavachari says the Flex Photo Lab offers distinct advantages over other photo applications available to iPhone users at the App Store.

"There are only a handful of applications out there that provide users with these unique filters, and ours is free," she said.

In addition to enhancing photos, the Flex Photo Lab application also allows users to "Discover Flex" through 360-degree exterior and interior views, vehicle information, and a photo gallery. There is also a "Locate the Flex" feature that uses the iPhone Mapping application to help users find their nearest Ford dealer.

The Flex is Ford's neweset seven-passenger crossover. The big, boxy wagon delivers 24 mpg on the highway and prices start at $28,895, including destination.