The real-time nature of the app is rather fun, and impressive from a technical point of view, but it's a bit tricky to do any adjustments unless you have a patience subject. Fortunately, you can also snap a picture using the app, and then apply edit the overlays to your hearts content. Alternatively, you can open an existing picture from your phone's camera roll or albums for modification.
When taking a picture using the app it's worth pointing out there are options to switch camera (if a front camera is available), but also to trigger auto focus and turn the flash on. You'll need to use these on occasion, in order to get the best looking base photo possible.
The app's user interface is very easy to use. Overlays are shown in a strip along the bottom (or, in landscape orientation, the side) of the screen, and are switched on or off by tapping on their icon. Moving an overlay is a simple matter of dragging an overlay to the correct position in the photo (we found the automatic face detection got he position right most of the time, but sometimes small adjustments were needed).
The app comes with four free overlays (baby, nose, ape, and mask), but additional overlays are waiting to be unlocked by In App purchase. Currently there are three additional overlay packs available, each of which costs £0.79 / $0.99 / €0.99, but you can also buy all three for £1.49 / $1.99 / €1.99.
Face Lens is one of the first apps we've seen on Windows Phone using In App purchases. This kind of extra content is perfect for the system, and it's not hard to see why this monetisation method will boost app availability and revenue on the platform. Previously, Face Lens would have likely been a commercial app, but by going for the freemium model, it will be able find a much wider, and more appreciative, audience.
The app also has support for Windows Phone 8 Rich Media extension. This means when you are browsing through your photos in the Photos hub you'll see a text note that a given image was "captured by Face Lens" and from the menu you can opt "open in Face Lens". This will open the photo in question in the Photo Lens app from where you can modify your creation (including applying a completely different overlay). It's a great example of the attention to detail found through out the app that adds up to a smooth and intuitive user experience.
Let's be honest, photos created using Face Lens aren't going to be winning any artistic awards! Camera purist should probably avoid this app. But, for everyone else, Face Lens has the potential to generate a lot of laughs. With Christmas just around the corner the release of this app is well time, it's perfect for having a bit of fun with a few friends, or keeping children entertained.
There are a number of apps you can use to create similar images, but Face Lens stands out for its deep platform integration, carefully thought out user interface, and slick performance.
Windows Store description:
The Face Lens app makes it possible to see your friends and family in a whole different way through your device's camera. Start the app directly from the built-in camera app using the Lens feature and then save or share those moments directly via Facebook, Twitter, email and more. It's fast, it's easy, a ton of fun and FREE! Augmented Reality Lens, the funny way.
The app uses the phone's camera to automatically detect faces which are overlaid in real-time with funny overlays. The overlays can be combined and fine tuned resulting in thousands possible modifications! Multiple faces are also detected and the front facing camera is supported too.
Face Lens can be downloaded for the Windows Phone Store for free. The app comes with four free overlays. Additional overlays and effects are available via In-App purchases, with prices starting at $0.99.