A Japanese company called Factron has released a metal iPhone case complete with a mount for conversion lenses. The Quattro for iPhone case is currently only compatible with the iPhone 3G - a modified version for the iPhone 3Gs is currently in the making. The conversion lenses on offer include two close-up optics, a superwide converter and even a circular fisheye. The case itself costs a whopping 19,600 yen, but the lenses themselves are available for 1,700 to 5,300 yen.

Website: Quattro for iPhone (in Japanese)

California Sunbounce has announced the Sun-Mover pop-up reflector, which uses their Perma-Tense technology for etra permanent tension. The original design, created by John Russell Ritson in 1977, has been “dramatically improved” by the California Sunbounce design team. „Perma-Tense“ is the new name for the synergy effect of the California Sunbounce frames and the elastic material, which keeps the reflective screen under permanent tension when in use. The Sunbounce oval Perma-Tense design has a screen just small enough to hinder the frame form reverting to this relaxed and comfortable position, keeping it alert and extremely tense. The Sun-Mover is available at California Sunbounce and its dealers. Suggested retail price for the original Sunbounce silver/white screen is €79. The zebra/white screen (pictured) costs €89.

Website: California Sunbounce

Mvix has announced the worldwide launch of the Mvix Ultio, a hard-disk based media centre capable of HD digital media playback with video output as high as 1080p. Ultio’s high-end video processing not only plays Blu-Ray quality video, it allows to store entire Hi-Definition media on its internal hard drive, plug it into a TV via HDMI and enjoy movies, digital music and family photos on large LCD or Plasma. It is also capable of playing AVCHD format (normally used in camcorder footage but also offered by new digital cameras such as the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1). Other supported codecs and formats include, but are not limited to, H.264, MKV, Dixv HD, MOV, VC-1 and FLV. Mvix Ultio is being launched in 2 flavours: the regular version (without a HDD) is priced at $169, whereas the premium version (bundled with a 1TB hard drive) will be available at $259.

Zacuto has introduced the Zgrip iPhone PRO, a completely adjustable and quick releasable handgrip system for shooting stable video using the iPhone 3Gs. The iPhone 3Gs snaps into the Zgrip and you are ready to shoot. The handgrip fully articulates, and all of the red levers allow you to adjust every angle to get those interesting, creative and smooth shots. The Zgrip iPhone PRO is available now from the Zacuto Store, priced at $295.

Manfrotto has completely renewed its i-Family range of remote controls. They improved the current firmware and the internal electronic components in order to make these new products more user friendly and cover all the new features of the newest Sony and Canon cameras. The 521Pro-i and 523Pro-i are compatible with auto focus and AF/MF switch functions of the latest video cameras. Moreover, the i-family top product, the 523Pro-i, features also the useful functionality of REC review. All of the new remote controls come with a longer coiled cord cable that allows a greater distance of the remote control from the video camera.

Lexar Media, a subsidiary of Micron Technology, has introduced the Lexar Platinum II 32GB SDHC and the Lexar 16GB microSDHC memory cards, which utilise Micron’s new high-capacity 34nm NAND chips. The newly architected 32Gb multi-level cell (MLC) NAND chip is 17 percent smaller than Micron’s first-generation 32Gb chip. The 16Gb MLC NAND chip, at just 84mm², provides high-capacity in an ultra tiny package. Lexar is taking advantage of Micron’s new 34nm NAND products by delivering a 32GB SDHC and a 16GB microSDHC card, with plans to significantly expand the line by September. In addition to its high capacity, the new Lexar PLatinum SDHC card is speed-rated at 60x (Class 4), offering a minimum-sustained write speed of 9MB per second. The Lexar Platinum II 32GB SDHC card is available now from tne Lexar Online Store at $139.99. The Lexar 16GB microSDHC mobile memory card costs $99.99.

E-pens Create is a new digital pen designed for drawing, handwriting and easily editing creative projects and photos on a PC or laptop. It provides a solution to converting hand drawn illustrations to a digital format for further editing. Users can clip the e-pens base unit to a normal paper notepad and connect it via the USB cable to draw directly into their PC. Furthermore, the digital pen can be used to easily and accurately amend photographs by removing red eye and improving colours and clarity. Manufactured by Apcom Limited, e-pens Create is available for £59.99 from Amazon.

Seagate has introduced an advanced line-up of mobile and desktop FreeAgent for Mac storage solutions and accessories. These include the FreeAgent Go for Mac with USB, FreeAgent Go Pro for Mac, the 2TB FreeAgent Desk for Mac and FreeAgent Go Dock+, a powered USB hub and dock for the FreeAgent Go. All Seagate FreeAgent for Mac solutions come formatted as HSF+ for Mac OS X and are Time Machine ready.

Bogen Imaging has announced a new Service Centre dedicated to all Manfrotto and Gitzo products. The new Service Centre that comes into effect on July 1st 2009 will undertake all warranty and non warranty service / repair issues and also supply spare parts. All repairs must be sent directly to the service centre and where a claim under warranty is being made a copy of the sales receipt should be included. The address of the new Manfrotto / Gitzo service centre is Unit 23 Hewitts Industrial Estate, Cranleigh, Surrey, GU6 8LW.

SanDisk has just unveiled the world’s fastest 32GB SDHC memory card, which boasts read and write speeds of up to 30 megabytes per second. The 32GB SanDisk Extreme SDHC card adheres to the SD Association’s new Class 10 specification, which exceeds requirement for today’s high definition (AVCHD) video recording. The card is claimed to offer a sustained write speed fast enough to ensure high-definition video recording and capacity capable of storing 160 minutes of full HD 1920x1080 pixels at 24Mb/s data transfer rate. Like all SanDisk SDHC memory cards, the 32GB Extreme guarantees operation at extended temperatures ranging from minus 13 F (minus 25 C) to 185 F (85 C). The SanDisk Extreme SDHC 32GB cards will be shipping worldwide to major retailers in August.

Western Digital today introduced its newly redesigned My Book® World Edition™ II dual-drive network storage system in capacities of up to 4 TB. With the double protection of two Mirrored (RAID 1) drives and continuous backup software, the My Book World Edition II network storage system provides an extra-safe place for users to back up and store the data and digital media from all the computers on their network in one central location. The new My Book World Edition II network storage systems are available now in 2 TB and 4 TB capacities at select retailers and WD’s online store (www.shopwd.com). MSRP for the My Book World Edition II dual-drive storage system with 4 TB is $699.99 USD and 2 TB is $399.99 USD.

Kenro has announced the UK release of a new range of background systems. New background panels available in a wide range of colours – grey marl, red marl, rose grey marl, black and white. The dimensions of the panels are 62x76”/157.5x193cm. Each panel folds down to just 26”/66cm diameter and comes complete with a zipped carry bag for easy transport. The backgrounds are available now with an RRP of £66.75 (plus VAT). Stands to support the Backdrop Panels are separately available for just £34.95 (plus VAT).

Kenro has announced a new range of Easy Grip Reflectors that have big, easy-to-hold grips. They also come with spring loaded frames which make for easy folding. The panels measure 24” x 36” and they come complete with a compact storage bag. The Easy Grip Reflectors are available now with an RRP of £37.95 for sunlight or silver or £34.75 for the translucent finish.

Kodak has announced the European launch of the Kodak EasyShare S730, a new, battery-operated digital picture frame. The Kodak EasyShare S730 has a built-in rechargeable battery and boasts a new Picture Finder feature, enabling users to “easily and quickly bring to life images and videos from special moments in time”, Kodak says. Other highlights include 1 Gigabyte of internal memory, a mercury-free LCD panel, an updated Quick Touch Border, with touch-sensitive controls that enable easy access to controls on the front of the frame, and featuring a motion sensor that illuminates controls as your hand approaches the frame. The Kodak EasyShare S730 will be available in the UK for £139.99 from July, 2009.

Buffalo Technology today announced the launch of the TeraStation Duo, the company’s first compact dual Network Attached Storage (NAS) drive aimed at small and medium businesses (SMBs). The TeraStation Duo is a feature filled NAS device that comes in 1TB or 2TB capacities. Other highlights include data transfer speeds of up to 65MB/s, real-time backup replication function and disk encryption. The 1TB version will cost £459.99, while the 2TB variant can be had for £569.99 from Insight, Misco and other leading UK resellers.

Buffalo Technology today announced the launch of the latest version of its LinkStation Pro, the company’s flagship home and small business Network Attached Storage drive. The LinkStation Pro is a high performance, shared network device that lets you store and share music, photos and movie files in your home as well as online. With a built-in DLNA media server and WebAccess, the LinkStation Pro lets you stream your favourite music and films directly to your PC, Mac, Playstation 3, Xbox 360, DLNA television or iPhone from anywhere. The LinkStation Pro comes in capacities of 1TB, 1.5TB and 2TB and is available in the UK from June from Insight, Misco and other leading UK resellers.

A gaming console might not be the first “accessory” that comes to mind when talking about digital photography, but the Sony PlayStation 3 (PS3) has some interesting features for the photo enthusiast. Every PS3 allows consumers to store their digital photos by connecting their cameras or USB storage drives directly to the console via a USB cable, with images then transferred directly onto the PS3’s hard drive. Once done with this, you can easily create playlists by grouping together photos. The PS3 system also offers five slideshow styles to show off your photos on your big screen, and you can set the slideshow to any music stored on your PS3.You can even upload your photos directly to a photo sharing site. Finally, with the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system, you can take your photos with you anywhere. Connect your PSP to any PC or laptop via a USB cable and upload your digital photos directly to the PSP’s storage card, the Memory Stick PRO Duo. You can also connect your PSP to your PS3 via a USB cable, and swap photos and photo playlists between the two systems.

PocketWizard has announced the development of the ZoneController, which gives the photographer control over three independent zones of light whether working in E-TTL or manual mode. The ZoneController slides into the upper hot-shoe of an on-camera MiniTT1 or FlexTT5 radio and communicates with a FlexTT5 at the flash that has been set for either zone (or group) A, B or C.  The three dials on the ZoneController independently adjust the A-B-C zones and allow for 1/3 f-stop increments of power control with a +/- three f-stop range (six stops total) when used in manual control.  When used for TTL auto flash, the ZoneController adjusts the relative light level of each zone independently. The ZoneController is in development and is planned for delivery late summer.  The retail price has not been set at this time.

Think Tank Photo is to release a new concept in camera bag, called the Multimedia Wired Up Collection, and they have produced a promotional video to show it off. In order to produce this video, Think Tank Photo co-founder and Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist Deanne Fitzmaurice teamed up with Emmy Award winning multimedia producer Dai Sugano. The Multimedia Wired Up Collection is billed as the first integrated bag system specifically designed for those shooting still, audio, and video in the field. The promotional video is available at www.thinktankphoto.com/mmvideo

Panasonic has issued an important notice to the owners of numerous Panasonic digital still cameras. These include a number of FX, FT, TZ and ZS models as well as the G1 and GH1 interchangeable-lens digital cameras. Panasonic claims that if you use third-party batteries instead of genuine Panasonic battery packs, overcharging, internal heating or short circuit may occur, possibly leading to personal injury. The company has therefore issued a firmware update to all of these cameras that enables them to tell if a non-genuine battery is inserted, and to refuse drawing power from it. This of course means that after updating your camera’s firmware, you will not be able to use third-party batteries any more.

Website: Panasonic Firmware Downloads