Sparkbooth Photo Booth Software News

Sparkbooth 3.2.2 is now available. Changes include:

• Guest Twitter uploader can now use non-Twitter photo hosting service. The Twitter photo hosting service is sometimes unavailable or over loaded - when this happens you can use a different photo hosting service like Twitrpix or others. To configure the photo hosting service, select the Guest Twitter uploader in the Upload settings tab.
• Twitter uploader now displays media upload limits. Twitter limits the number of photo uploaded to its site per Twitter account - you can see the current daily limit by selecting the Twitter uploader in the Upload settings tab. If you need more uploads per account, please use another Twitter photo service like Twitrpix which has no daily limit.
• Twitter uploader returns more specific error messages to let you know if the Twitter photo upload service is unavailable or overloaded.
• Improved tumblr uploader - easier to use
• Guest Facebook and Twitter sign in input fields have focus on display. You no longer need to click on the sign in fields before typing.
• More consistent upload status messages.
• Smaller file size
• Other minor fixes

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This Maintenance update includes the following changes:

• More controls converted for better display
• Fixed email input field to accept "_" characters
• Fixed shift key toggle of virtual keyboard

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Small maintenance update to improve the drawing of the touch screen controls on smaller screens. With this update the touch screen controls are no longer look pixelated when shrink down.

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Guest Upload Chooser Screen

Sparkbooth 3.2.0 is now available. With this update, you can now let your guests choose where to send their photos. They will be presented with the option to upload the photo to their Facebook or Twitter account, or sent to their email address. To enable this feature, select "Guest Upload Chooser" in the settings Upload tab. If you want to email, you will need to select either SendGrid or Postmark for the email service, and provide your account credentials for the service.

Other changes include:

• New look for touch controls.
• Fixed display of virtual keyboard for email
• New portrait images for layout selection preview. To re-generate the layout previews using the new portraits, go to Settings > select Options tab > select User Controls from drop down list > press the Reset button under Photo Layout Selection.

New Touchscreen Controls

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Sparkbooth 3.1.2 maintenance update is now available for download. Changes include:

• Fixed issues with lock password dialogs
• Favorited photo layouts are now marked with heart instead of *
• Change 4 x 8 layout names

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Big Red USB Button

You may want to replace the keyboard with a USB button for your Sparkbooth photo booth. It will simplify the usage of the photo booth, since guests will only have the option of pressing a button. There is now a variety of Sparkbooth compatible USB buttons to choose from.

• Dave Rogge is selling his Big Red Lightup Button (pictured above) and mini usb button on Etsy
• Pete of Rasterweb has his Awesome USB button for sale.
• Several Sparkbooth users have mentioned that the Griffin PowerMate works and looks great, and is very affordable.
• Or check out the USB button FAQ for more options or links on how to build your own

Pete over at Rasterweb made a really cool USB button for his Sparkbooth photo booth. He posted instructions on how to make one for yourself. Or if you are not up for a DIY project, he is now considering selling these USB buttons! If you want one, please head over to his post, and let him know.

Sparkbooth 3.1.1 update is now available. Changes in this update includes:

• Virtual keyboard is now enabled for the Guest Facebook and Twitter uploaders.
• Remaining time pauses when guest is typing.
• Email input field is limited to only valid email characters. So you can no longer accidentally enter spaces.

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The Oscars are an exciting time of year! This the time of year when all of the best movies, actors, directors, and more are celebrated with the most prestigious of awards - The Oscar. Millions of people gather around their televisions in order to to watch all the top celebrities walk that infamous red carpet, while analyzing their every move.

There are quite a few people who are such a fan of The Oscars that they will host their very own Oscar awards ceremony. Friends and family are invited over so everyone can watch the 3+ hour event together. Of course, invited guests must dress up in their most fashionable attire and be prepared to make their own predictions for who will win, making this night of excitement one that won't soon be forgotten.

Sparkbooth

Make this year's Oscar Party super fun and super special by using a photo booth so you can take lots and lots of photos all throughout the party. It's so easy to set up and use, you'll want to use Sparkbooth at every party you host from now on!

Why a Photo Booth?

Although a photo booth makes a great addition to any party, it's especially fun for an Oscar-themed party! Imagine how much fun everyone will have taking their photo while dressed in such style. Be sure to take some photos well before the party starts so you can place these photos on a special wall for all to see and admire - they'll feel like a star!

Obviously, everyone will make their own predictions for who will win best movie, best actor, best supporting actor, etc., and if they're right, they get to take a special photo with an Oscar and a picture of the winner. Be sure that whoever guesses the most winners right gets a special prize at the end.

Oscar Party Photo Booth Ideas.

Photo Layout/Background Graphics

• A door panel makes a great backdrop.
• A photo stand-in is always fun and a favorite.
• Posters of the year's best movie nominees make a great background.
• What would an Oscar party be without paparazzi?

Signs

• Choose from a variety of hanging wall cutouts that will help set the mood!
• A banner where you can add your own personalized message makes an exciting and original background.

Props

• Feather boas for the gals and top hats for the guys add an extra layer of fun and flair.
• Life-size cutouts are great extremely entertaining and can consist of either previous winners (movie stars or movies) or stars that are currently up for an Oscar.
• Make some noise when your choice wins with some gold star clackers.
• Don't forget the confetti, which is a must for every party!
• Other prop and party ideas

A Couple Tips

• A red carpet entrance is an easy way to set the mood right from the very start
• Be sure to send out your invitations as soon as possible. It's never too soon to start planning what to wear!

Select Photo Layout Screen

Guest Prompt Screen

Print Prompt Screen

Today Sparkbooth 3 moves from preview to released status. If you have never tried Sparkbooth 3, here are the changes and new features available:

• Updated to Adobe AIR 2.7 runtime. Please install the latest Adobe AIR runtime 2.7 or later.
• Submit emails to MailChimp mailing lists. To turn on this option, go to Settings, select Option tab, select Saving from list and check the "Submit email to MailChimp mailing list" option. You will need to also select the Prompt for email option.
• SendGrid uploader to email photos to guests. Select this option in Uploaders settings.
• Postmarkapp.com uploader to email photos to guests. Select this option in Uploaders settings.
• Touch screen controls. To enable, go to Settings > Options tab > User Controls. Great when used with touch screen computers such as the HP TouchSmart
• On-screen keyboard used for user prompts.
• On-screen photo layout selection and layout preview, so your users can now select the layout to use. Only layouts marked as "Favorite" will be displayed.
• On-screen color button so guests can change video filters.
• On-screen start button as an alternative to the "Click to start" option.
• Guest photo layout selection with touch screen or keyboard (ctrl-J or cmd-J). Limit available photo layouts by tagging as "favorite" (heart button) under Photo Layouts tab.
• Change the portrait photo used in the layout selection preview
• On-screen control for guest to select number of print copies. Also works with keyboard (ctrl-P or cmd-P, or minus/plus keys).
• On-screen cancel button
• Switch off click/touch to start, if start button is displayed
• Limit available guest selectable video colors by color button or keyboard (ctrl-K or cmd-K) and option to reset to default color.
• Hide distracting photos and video during user name/email prompts
• Improved user prompts - bigger and cleaner
• Option to always hide mouse cursor. Useful for touch screen users.
• Enable Facebook fan page albums selection.
• Upload photos to your guest's Facebook account or Twitter stream.
• Other minor fixes and improvements

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If you are running Sparkbooth on a low memory or low powered computer, it is recommended you stay with Sparkbooth 2. Sparkbooth 2 is still available for download on the archive page.

If you are a Sparkbooth 2 user and want to upgrade to Sparkbooth 3, you will need to go to the download page to install it. It is a separate install from Sparkbooth 2, so you can have both installed at the same time. Your existing license key will activate Sparkbooth 3.

If you are a Sparkbooth Party Edition user, you will need to purchase an upgrade to activate Sparkbooth 3. Please contact me for details, and provide the email address of your Sparkbooth PE license key.