Canon Project1709: first impressions

It’s almost 2 months since the launch of Canon Project1709. Based on feedback received from photographers using the beta, regular improvements are being made – such as making Project1709 compatible with the latest version of Safari and increasing the file size for web uploads.

Canon has also revealed what’s coming to Project1709 in 2013, too. But what’s the verdict of the platform so far from users?

The big hit seems to be the interface. Twitter user DRAGOX is impressed by “its simplicity, above everything – it’s easy to use.”

Mayowa Ojo is also impressed by Project1709′s design: “When I was accepted into the beta, my favorite aspect was the user interface.” he tells us. “Project1709’s ‘Masonry’ style of scrolling through photos combined with its timeline concept makes it a simple and intuitive way to navigate to a particular photo.”

“The feature to create or add to Facebook albums is also well implemented. The interface is clean and uncluttered, focusing on a single aspect – the photos.”

“As the service is still very much in beta, one runs into a few bugs and crashes every now and again. For example, the application doesn’t read all EXIF data on a photo. If I upload photos that are already tagged, these do not appear online, as well as some camera data. In some instances features are simply lacking, such as a way to navigate from a selected photo back to the originating timeline.”

(Additional features are being rolled out regularly, and a recent update enables you to now access your photo collection while viewing single images – see image below.)

Most wanted Project1709 features

Canon has already indicated which new features are likely to be prioritized in the development schedule, but what do you want to see coming next?

Flavio Camus would like to be able to use Project1709 “as a backup solution. I wish to backup my flickr account. An API would be great, too.”

“Galleries, folders, embed slideshows and single picture views. Sync with services like Dropbox. Private invites to watch/download specific work.” suggests Jose Martinez on our Facebook page.

“Mobile device integration,” is something Tomas Lukman wishes for, while DRAGOX says that Project1709 would like to see Project1709 as a social network by itself, “not just a platform for image management in the cloud.”

Mayowa Ojo echoes this thought: “While Canon’s working on implementing other sharing services, I would also like to see it as a stand-alone photo sharing site. This would mean the ability to create public collections. Photos in a public collection, or shared to a social network should be marked as such right from the timeline.”

“Also, while Canon continues to work on a variety of features – such as deleting and renaming photos – before its public launch, I would like to see the service deeply implemented with desktop catalogue managing software, Adobe Lightroom in particular.”

Give us your feedback

So, you’ve heard what others users think of Project1709 – what would you like to see Canon introduce next?

The ability to share on Twitter, Flickr or Google+?

A standalone social aspect?

Integration with the likes of Lightroom and Aperture?

Let us know below.

If you’ve signed up for Project1709, and you’re awaiting your email invitation, let us know in the comments, too. Alternatively, reach us on our Facebook and Twitter pages.