Dazzling Zero-Effort Slideshows with Animoto

In a nutshell: Animoto.com generates slick, eye-catching slideshows edited to match the pace and tone of music you select. The result isn't always perfect -- but any service that delivers this much dazzle for this little effort deserves a place in the creative worker's bag of tricks! Sign up using discount code huvtxyne, and you'll get five bucks off.

The End of Slideshows?
There are dozens of software titles out there capable of converting your photos into a slideshow. With a click of a mouse, you can add music. Another click, and the "Ken Burns effect" will set your photos into motion. Dressed up with some lively music and eye-catching animation, even your Uncle Ed's fuzzy vacation photos can seem to tell a story.

Automatically generated slideshows are convenient, but they have their limitations. Because the software doesn't know what's in the picture, it may pan away from the focal point of the photo or -- worse -- zoom in for a close-up of the wart on Aunt Edna's nose. A poorly chosen soundtrack can transform bland slides into a truly disturbing multimedia experience.

And -- until now -- the number one problem with automatically generated slideshows has been this: due to their limited set of transitions and their dreamy pace, they all tend to look alike.

That's where Animoto.com comes in.