Kraken is an online image optimization tool that allows users to optimize images and reduce image size. Unlike other services on the Internet, Kraken is fast, all you have to do is drag-and-drop the images and it will do the rest.

Using the service is very easy. Just visit the website and either select the files from the computer or drag and drop into the box to upload the files for optimization. The website offer two different optimization modes: Advanced and Extreme. The Advanced mode is for general use, especially when you want to optimize your images quickly and efficiently. The Extreme mode, on the other hand, is more time-consuming and reduces file size by a higher percentage.

Features

• Free service.
• User-friendly interface.
• Quick optimization – with two different modes (Advanced or Extreme).
• Similar tools: JPEGmini, PunyPNG. Smushit and ImageOptimizer.

Check out Kraken @ www.kraken.io (via WebResourcesDepot)(By Hammad from TechnicallyDigital)

JPEGmini is a web service that reduces the file size of your images remarkably while maintaining image quality and resolution. All you have to do is upload your JPEG images and let the site process them. The final result along with the original one is displayed for your comparison; the initial and final file sizes are also shown below the previews. You are shown the factor with which your image’s file size was reduced. If you are satisfied with the image quality – which you definitely will be – you can download the final image in JPEG format. If you want, you can create an account on the site to maintain albums and share photos on Picasa and Flickr.

Features:

• A user-friendly web app.
• Reduces file size of your JPEG images.
• Maintains resolution and image quality.
• Lets you share images on Picasa and Flickr.
• Similar tools: PunyPNG.

Check out JPEGmini @ www.jpegmini.com/main/home (by MOin from Urban Savior)

You can also quickly resize the image by manually entering the desired height and width. If you are not happy with the effects you have applied, simply click the reset button to start over or change image button to upload a different image. Once done, download your enhanced image as a PNG file. The tool has a size limit of 600 KB for images uploaded.

Features:

• Apply effects to images quickly.
• Includes, sepia, solarize, invert, borders and more.
• Download enhanced image as PNG.
• Resize your image to custom specifications.
• No registration required.
• Similar tools: ImageEmbellisher and more links in our article “10+ Sites To Add Amazing Effects To Your Photos.”

Visit ImageOid @ www.imageoid.com

8-bit Alpha lets you convert a common 24-bit PNG image into an 8-bit image with alpha transparency. To convert, simply drag the 24-bit image from your computer onto the website, wait a little while and then download the converted 8-bit image to your computer. You can still do it in Photoshop, but if you don’t have the software or if you don’t want to wait while it loads, use this website instead.

Features:

• Convert 24-bit PNG images into 8-bit images with alpha transparency online.
• Simply drag and drop to convert.
• No registration or software to install.
• Similar tools: JPEGCompress, AgileUploader, PunyPNG, Smushit and ImageOptimizer.

Check out 8-bit Alpha @ www.8bitalpha.com

Once installed, optimizing images takes only a couple of clicks. First, open the image you want to optimize, then select the file format (choose from JPEG, GIF, and PNG), and then click save. Other very useful options include “Compress To Size” – which is very useful if blog editors prescribe a size limit for images, and batch processing.

RIOT is available as an installed exe or zipped standalone version. You can also install this as a plugin for the popular Irfanview, allowing you to do some quick image manipulation before optimizing the image. For bloggers dealing with screenshots, this is a great minimalist alternative to other image editors.

Features:

• Free; quick image optimization tool.
• Install as plugin to Irfanview.
• Convert images to optimized JPEG, GIF, or PNG.
• Compress to size.
• Batch Processing.
• Similar tools: JPEGCompress, AgileUploader, PunyPNG, Smushit and ImageOptimizer.
• Read about the 6 Cool IrfanView Plugins To Enhance This Simple Image Editor.

Check out RIOT @ www.luci.criosweb.ro/riot/download

There are advanced image editing programs out there that perform the same function. However they are not freeware, requires additional space on your hard drive, and takes up your system’s resources. With RGB2CMYK, you get a web service that quickly evaluates your image and gives an output in your chosen color model.

You start by uploading a JPG, TIFF, PNG, or BMP image smaller than 5MB. Then you choose the conversion method (RGB to CMYK or the other way around) and profile. Before you click on “Send File” remember to choose your desired output format (JPG or TIFF). After conversion, you can download the resulting image.

Features:

• A free and user friendly CMYK to RGB converter.
• Supports uploads of JPEG and TIFF images under 8 MB.
• Different conversion profiles can be chosen.
• Output format can be either JPG or TIFF.
• Converted images can be downloaded.
• Similar tools: CMYKConverter.
• Also read related articles:
  How to Color Correct RGB Images Easily in Photoshop
  3 Free Color Picking Tools To Choose Colors From Your Desktop

Check out RGB2CMYK @ www.rgb2cmyk.org (by MOin from ThumbPress)

To use TinyEyes, click the “Try it!“ link at the top section of the homepage. You can select the age of the child’s vision that you want to see from the drop-down menu. You can also enter the viewing distance in inches.

Once set, upload an image file from your computer and hit the “Run Tinyeyes!“ button. The original image and the image as seen by the child will appear side by side.

TinyEyes can process most images but recommends using PNG or JPEG formats for faster conversions. This is a fun app for new parents to know what their baby is exactly seeing.

Features:

• Allows you to see how your child sees.
• Free; no sign up required.
• Supports multiple image formats.
• Similar Tools: Baby-Connect, What A Lovely Name, and Kidmondo.

Check out TinyEyes @ www.tinyeyes.com/tinyeyes/index.php

CMYK Converter is a web app that lets you easily convert convert cmyk images to rgb and vice versa.

The conversion is easily done with 3 simple steps. To convert your image, first you need to upload the photo to the site. The photo must be either in JPEG or TIFF format, with a maximum size of 8MB. Then choose the conversion process –  either CMYK to RGB or RGB to CMYK. Finally, click the convert button and download the image to your computer.

While you can do color model conversion using photo editing software such as Photoshop, not all people have those kind of applications. Also, those applications have complex interfaces and can take some time to load. On the other hand, CMYK Converter is way faster and easier.

Features:

• Converts the color management scheme of your images.
• Convert from the RGB color model to the CMYK color model and vice versa.
• Free, no signup is required.

Check out CMYK Converter @  http://www.cmykconverter.com (Source: Lifehacker)

If you have an image you want to use for your website, but is so large you think it will slow down your site for visitors, JPEGCompress can compress jpeg images online. Since the service is based entirely on the web there’s no need for you to install anything to use it: simply upload your file (Jpg only) and you’ll be able to download a compressed version.

The site makes quick work of compressing even large images, and will inform you of the changes it’s made. Sure, you could quickly do this with tools such as Photoshop or The Gimp, but if you don’t need any functionality besides compressing JPEG files why not use a unipurpose tool that doesn’t require you to install anything?

Features

• Reduce the size of jpg image online.
• Reduces file size for quick downloading.
• Upload any image and quickly see the compressed version.
• Similar sites: AgileUploader, PunyPNG, Smushit and ImageOptimizer.

Update: The site is no longer functional.

Check out JPEG Compress @ www.jpegcompress.com

You can also use it to resize images uploaded by users and customize settings to style the upload widget. Even though AgileUploader reduces the size of your image, it does not compromise on image quality. The tool does require a little knowledge of web development to integrate with your server but saves a lot of bandwidth, therefore reducing cost and optimizing user experience.

Features:

• Reduce image size before uploading to server.
• Works with images uploaded by users.
• Bulk resize images.
• Works with multiple file types and browsers.
• Simple and customizable design.
• Gather other form details and post with image.
• Try the demo version before you download.

Download AgileUploader from http://www.shift8creative.com/projects/agile-uploader/index.html [Via WebAppers]