Animoto is an internet company involved in producing the “WOW factor” for your still images. Their web site claims they have created “the end of the slide show”. They may be right. Animoto has you upload your images, pick some music and then wait a few minutes as their sophisticated software analyzes your photos, feels your music and then spits back a customized animated movie that looks like a movie trailer. It is pretty amazing actually and I have to admit I was impressed with it at first glance. Anyway - you be the judge. Check out (above) the Valentine film I made for my significant other yesterday. She liked it. You can also watch both of us age about thirty years in the five minute+ film if that interests you (ouch). I’m one of those people who like to take all software programs a bit further and customize them. I added some straight video to the animation in iMovie 09. I’m also considering using Fotomagico in conjunction with the videos that Animoto downloads to users (also through iMovie). The animation Animoto does is really cool but, like anything, if you use it exclusively you can become a “one trick pony”. That being said, I still think it a great tool to add to any photographer or videographer’s tool bag. I’m sure I’ll use it in some of my future Texas Buffet Vlogs. (actually I already have i.e. February 2 Vlog) If you’re curious go to animoto.com. Animoto allows you to make free 30 second low res shows - as many as you want. And you can e-mail them or embed them to any site you want (like MySpace or Facebook) You want something bigger and better? That’s available too but a few dollars is involved. (reasonable actually) Less