A1, Can not get Camera edits to Save. Arcsoft Gallery (Trial) will not upgrade

Question

Sorry but I need to first start with a rant,
<rant> I receive the pad, spend days playing and customizing, learning features.  Once I ran across the edit feature from within the camera viewer (which was very cool), I played with a picture and went to "Save".  I was presented with a message that if I want to save I would need to "Buy" the app.  First off I was not in an app, I was using the built in camera viewer software, there was no identification, no "About" tab and I did not not use an external Icon to get to this point.  Ok, I suck up and press continue to find out the software is "Arcsoft Workshop 4.6 (Trial)" and the upgrade would be $2.99.  I really think this was a low blow from Lenovo as to beat up on their customers for mere $2.99.  Ok, after having to fight with the Lenovo app store (reg + fight crashes which are detailed elsewhere) I finally get it purchased and downloaded just to be awarded with the message "Can't Install" with an big red "X").  Now things continue go down hill..... </rant>
Ok, just before it bombed out I was given a message to "Replace an system app" which I also agreed to. That gave me the idea that the old application may be holding up the install process.  My great idea led me to uninstall  "Arcsoft workshop trial" which did not help anything and now I have no edit functions at all
When the app first mis-behaved I was asked by the app-store to report problems which I did, the next morning I had an email from a nice lady that worked at MobiHand (apparently they service the Lenovo app store)  and an attachment with the workshop apk file.  I was able to get that file to install
But wait, we are not done with this story...   I had Workshop back but if I clicked on ANY picture or tried to "Edit" from the camera I was presented with "Can not open image!"  Nothing I tried would work, I uninstalled, reinstalled, bla, bla.  I then returned the nice lady's email with the new problem with no response for the next 2 days.
Meanwhile I am trying to figure out how to get back to where I was to start with and have edit functions (how be-it with no ability to save).  Since I installed the trial app and did not have a copy to reinstall it back I was stuck.  After much research (on the forums) I was able to confirm that a factory reset would bring back the old app as well as perhaps fix a few other things that are plaguing me.  During the 4 system updates previously I made I never did the reset and all my customizing stayed (which I was happy about) but now with the pending reset I knew it would be the end of all my past week of work.  Of course I backed up everything but still the re-setup would be hours.  (<rant> all this for a #$!@#$@#$ "Save" button! </rant>)
I followed this exact procedure;
1. Made sure all updates were completed. (v3.2.1 (build ends with 1109)
2. Factory Reset (under setup, privacy) 
3. Loaded Astro and backed up ALL my initial apps (including Workshop Trial)
4. Set up Lenovo app store 
5. Took a test picture with the camera
6. Viewed test picture and selected "edit"
7. Made a test edit
8. Selected "Result" and "Save", I was presented with the "you must buy" message
9. Completed the Arcsoft Workshop 4.6 download and install  (Hurray no problems this time!)
But wait.... The story continues.....
I go to edit a picture and was presented with 2 choices, Workshop and Workshop Trial.  For some reason I was not asked to overwrite the old trial version but I think to my self, this is OK and choose the new full app.
I am presented with "Can't open Image!"    <rant> (&^#@%$^$& 
Lets see, I have about 12 hours in this project to get a "Save" button and NaDa, no forward progress, Game further delayed, EKKKKKK! </rant>
Workshop trial at least still works as it always has.
<loud_rant> Now, I am po'd, nothing I did has caused this and the blooming thing just plain does not work, the words "I should have bought an Ipad" continue to beat in my head, after all the 8g iPAd2 was only $100 more, I really feel like returning this stupid thing but I suck it back up and fire an email to Arcsoft.  The next morning the reply was that Lenovo bundled the software and I should contact them (Did I tell you I spent 40 worthless minutes on the phone to them during the initial problem state?).  Now I am Livid, I told Arcsoft that it was the full version I paid $2.99 for that is malfunctioning, not the original bundled "Trial" version but of course that was ignored and the generic form letter response was issued.  I have fired off another very firm email to Arcsoft over the issue, no response to date (2 days now). </loud_rant>
It appears that satisfaction is no matter to Lenovo or Arcsoft, and  theydo not provide what they promise.  I hope this community can help with the problem, If I can't save an edited picture then they deserve to get the blooming thing back.
Thankx for any help someone can provide,
Jmayes

Answer 1

Thanks for the tip on the edit.  I remembered to take the film off the lens.  In almost every review I read and viewed (I researched quite a while b/4 buying) mentioned the poor quality of the camera photos compared to other 5 MP cameras on other tablets.  I just didn't expect it to be this bad.  My neighbor has a Thrive and an Iconia both of which have 5 MP cameras and there is a world of difference even after you upload them to the computer.  It wasn't the 3.2 upgrade that affected the camera.....I think it is just poor quality hardware (most reviewers agree on that).  It is not a deal breaker for me more like I feel cheated.  Having the camera lens so close to the edge is a problem too since it seems to pick up finger prints on the glass covering the lens causing the photos to look drab.
Atleast they didn't put the earphone jack on the top causing the wire to drap across the screen if you are not careful like one of the tablets I saw.
By a route obscure and lonely
haunted by ill angels only.