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Zooomr Review

As I am searching for some place to put my pictures that I've taken over the last holday, birthdays and other ocasions, I have look into some of the "web 2.0"; image hosts and came to the conclusion that zooomr is pretty much what I was looking for.

My criteria are:


  • Free (web 2.0 stuff usually has a free basic membership and some paid "deluxe"; features, I am a poor student and prefer not to pay. There are other ways to make money)

  • Unlimited storage (I don't think I really need it, but I don't like limits)

  • Easy API to use for upload tools (because it's usually too much of a hassle to upload via webinterface… unless it's flash or some really nifty javascript)

  • Good management features (because that's what a photo album basically is. Managed pictues)

  • Some cool featues (surprise me! ;D )

I startet using Picasa Web Albums some time ago and it worked pretty fine, but as I realized that I already had filled 50% of my "free"; space, I decided to look for something else.
At first I wanted to try flickr because it's the most known picture host and that usually has a reason. I went there and realized quickly that I don't really liked the idea of making a yahoo ID just for Flickr and I also didn't like the monthly transfer limit. When you have a free Flickr account, you can upload 100MB worth of photos each calendar month. While that usually would be way too much for me, I would run into problems while uploading all the stuff I collected on SD Cards over the last few months.

Next I tried 23hq because it came up on some google search I did. While 23hq ist really nice concerning the manageability of albums, but there is a limit of 30 photos per month (while still in beta: 200), so this one was out of the race too.

Now we come to what seems to be my final choice: Zooomr.

The signup:

I was finally able to use my openid so it was a very quick signup. Nothing out of the ordinary. Apparently it also works with gmail/google accounts

The Costs:

You usually have a limit of 100 MB uploads per month and unlimited storage. With the basic account you seem to be limited to 1024×768 sized pics. While that kinda sucks, it isn't really that bad because Zooomr loves bloggers :)

You'll receive a pro account with a maximum upload of 4 gb/month and unlimited storage of your full-resolution photos! The only thing you'll have to do is host one picture in your blog posts on zooomr, use the integrated HTML embedding code and go over to http://beta.zooomr.com/proitizer. Just insert the URL of the blog entry with the zooomr hosted picture and you'll get automatically upgraded!

The API: As they already recommend juploadr on their page, I decided to use it and what can I say… works fine for me after using the FAQ to enable Zooomr uploading instead of Flickr:)

The Cons:


  • Uploading speed using juploadr is at about 50-60 kb/s, while that is ok, the zooomr servers seem to be limited and it would be cool if I'd be able to use my full 120 kb/s at home

  • NO WAY TO CREATE SIMPLE PHOTO ALBUMS! The only thing for the moment is creating "Smart Sets"; by defining filters (photographed on, tag, owner, …). But I'm sure it will work sooner or later… it's still beta after all

  • The just mentioned smart sets don't seem to work. Even after setting myself in the "owner"; filter part, I get lots of pictures by other people in my custom sets. Also: I haven't found out where to change the picture the whole set is represented by

  • The usability is kinda poor atm. For example: if you visit zooomr.com you'll find yourself on the "Tour"; page even if you've already got an account and should have matching a cookie set. Even after you click on the "WelcomeMat"; link, you are transfered to a page which asks what you want to do. Basically, when I log into zooomr I directly want to go to my Photo-Albums. If I wanna do something else, I'll klick on it. But I think >75% want to be taken to their pictures

Cool stuff:


  • Geo tagging: you can use google maps to geo-tag your images, so you can always see where a photo was taken! Great feature for trips or holidays

    GeoTagging ScreenshotGeoTagging Screenshot Hosted on Zooomr

    • <li> Auto resize: Great thing for blogging, you can select 5 different sizes and directly grab you html code</li>
<li>mail upload: nice thing if you wanna use your cellphone to make pictures available</li>
<li>light map: You can search for photos that have been taken in particular places<br />

    Lightmap ScreenshotLightmap Screenshot Hosted on Zooomr

    <li> Private <&#8212;> Public Photos: Well, you get it&#8230; on of the "must have"; features</li>

    I'll keep you updated :D

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