In an effort to support creativity, Pinterest has quietly launched a new collage maker app called Shuffles on the Apple App Store.
Looking at the app store description (opens in a new tab), Shuffles allows people to create collages by taking images from Pinterest's "massive photo library" or adding images via device photo from their smartphone. . The app offers some simple editing tools like resizing, rotating, and overlaying images on top of each other.
Specific objects in an image can be removed with one click and pasted elsewhere with Shuffles' crop tool. This reminds us of a similar feature in iOS 16 called Visual Look Up that allows users to crop photo assets and paste them into other apps like Messages.
Users, or Shufflers as Pinterest calls them, can add a personal touch to their creation with the app's catalog of animations and special effects. And once completed, the collages can be shared privately with friends or publicly for the world to admire.
People can even "remix" other people's collages by adding their own touch, but it's unclear if the remix is exclusive to mutual friends or if it can be applied to public creations. In fact, aside from the App Store description, not much else is known about Shuffles.
Set for a test
The app is currently exclusive to iOS, and according to TechCrunch(Opens in a new tab), it's invite-only. There is a waiting list that people can sign up for eventually access. However, it is not clear when more people will be added. We reached out to Pinterest to see if we could get more information about the app, like when it will launch for Android and when it will leave testing. However, Pinterest plays its cards close to the chest.
A spokesperson responded: "As this app is in its initial testing phase, we have no additional details to share at this time."
Fostering this creative outlet seems to be a big factor for Pinterest, as the spokesperson goes on to say: "With more people coming to our platform for creative inspiration, we're continually experimenting with new ways to help Pinners and creators bring their ideas to life."
What was revealed by the Pinterest spokesperson is that Shuffles is a creation of the platform's TwoTwenty team.
Pinterest Extension
As the rep puts it, TwoTwenty (opens in a new tab) is the "Pinterest Innovative Incubator Team," which means it's the part of the company that comes up with new apps and ideas. The division launched in November 2021 (opens in a new tab) and is named after the place where Pinterest started in Palo Alto, California. Before Shuffles, TwoTwenty created Pinterest TV (opens in a new tab), an in-app video service where users can view original content and shop for the best products.
Other tech companies have their own incubator teams like Meta with NPE. In fact, NPE created an app very similar to Shuffles called E.gg (opens in a new tab) and it seems to have been more extensive as it supported texts, GIFs, and images for mixed media collages. If you've never heard of E.gg before, it's because Meta shut it down six months after it launched (opens in a new tab).
Whether it's a simple coincidence or the resurgence of an idea, Pinterest sees the potential in an inspiring collage app. Hopefully Shuffles works for the platform and doesn't shut down six months later.
If you're using Android and feel like you're missing something, TechRadar has a list of the best free collage makers for you.