Oloneo today launched the first public beta version of Oloneo PhotoEngine for Windows, an HDR imaging program and raw editor featuring a re-lighting tool, a real-time tone mapping module and a noise filter.  By merging multiple photos of the same scene, Oloneo PhotoEngine not only offers almost unlimited control over exposure and lighting but also provides a new level of creativity in digital photography, the company claims. For example, you can individually set the white balance of different parts of the image lit by different light sources, re-light the image by digitally “switching on and off” the various lights or create a realistic night view based on daylight photos. The English/International version of Oloneo PhotoEngine Beta 1 for Windows is available immediately as a free download at the website below.

Website: Oloneo

The new Scrapbook MAX v2.05 is billed as “the first digital scrapbooking software program to combine ease of use with an archival quality graphics engine”. With this new version, users can bend and stretch text, and fill characters with patterns and images. Photos and elements can be accurately re-coloured with a colour-picker tool, and users have complete control over the angle, distance and colour of shadows. Additionally, a new eraser tool allows scrapbookers to extract people and objects from photos with precision, or add artistic blurred edges to photos and embellishments. Scrapbook MAX v2.05 sells for $59.95 and can be purchased at select retailers or online at the website below.

Website: Scrapbook MAX

AKVIS LightShop 3 lets you create an infinite number of amazing light effects. Version 3.0 has improved compatibility with Windows 7 and Mac OS X 10.6. 64-bit, and now works with Adobe Photoshop CS4/CS5 64-bit. AKVIS LightShop costs $97 USD.

HDR Expose is a new software application for the creation and editing of HDR images. Replacing HDR PhotoStudio, HDR Expose offers new features that include the addition of interactive HDR histogram, digital color readout, multiple ghost reduction options, plug-ins for Adobe Lightroom and Apple Aperture, and a sleek, intuitive user interface. All current HDR PhotoStudio customers are eligible for a free upgrade to HDR Expose. Starting July 12, 2010, HDR Expose will be available for purchase at a list price of $149. A special introductory launch price for HDR Expose of $99 is available through July 31, 2010 and a free 30-day trial version is also available.

Jalbum.net has just launched an app for the iPhone which lets you browse, share and create web photo albums. All customized photo albums whether they are flash, HTML or java-script based are equally displayed in a beautiful viewing experience on the iPhone. Since its launch in 2002, Jalbum has enabled amateur and professional photographers alike to publish more than 30 million photo albums

Scarab Labs has released the Mac version of its Star Filter plug-in for Photoshop. Requiring an Intel based Mac and Photoshop CS3, CS4 or CS5, Star Filter for Mac simulates star filters (also known as cross screen filters) in an opically realistic way, and shows the results in real-time..Compatible with 64-bit versions of Photoshop, Star Filter for Mac is available now, priced at $49.95. Version 2.0 of the Windows variant is also out, also selling for $49.95. Existing owners of Star Filter for Windows can upgrade to version 2.0 for $10.

Website: Scarab Labs

Bibble Labs have just posted an update to Bibble 5.1 Pro and Bibble 5.1 Lite.Version 5.1e resolves a licensing issue with Bibble 5 Lite, and fixes a number of other issues as well. See Bibble’s note below for details.

AKVIS has released updates for five photo editing programs. These include Enhancer 11.5, Noise Buster 7.5, Coloriage 7.5, ArtSuite 6.5, and Magnifier 3.5. AKVIS Enhancer is image enhancing software which improves image detail, corrects the tone of areas, and sharpens borders. AKVIS Noise Buster suppresses noise in digital photos and scanned images. AKVIS Coloriage adds color to black and photos and replaces colors in color images. AKVIS ArtSuite is a program that adds artistic effects to photos, while AKVIS Magnifier allows you to resize an image without losing quality. The updates, which are free for registered users, fix bugs and add 64-bit support to the plug-in versions.

Adobe has posted the first update to Photoshop CS5, dubbing it Adobe Photoshop 12.0.1. This update addresses a number of high priority bugs with 64-bit Mac, Performance, User Interface, Type, Content-Aware Fill, HDR, 3D, Painting, GPU and Liquify implemented after Adobe Photoshop CS5 and Photoshop CS5 Extended (also called Adobe Photoshop 12.0.0) were released. Click through / read on for the most important bug fixes.

DxO Labs have announced he availability of more than 60 new DxO Optics modules for a large selection of Canon, Nikon, Olympus, and Sony cameras. Most of the new additions are available in both the Standard and the Elite versions of DxO Optics Pro, except for nine modules that are for the Elite edition only. To view a list of the newly added DxO Optics modules, visit the website below.

Website: More than 60 new DxO Optics Correction Modules

Digital Anarchy has announced a free update to their ToonIt! Photo cartooning plugin. ToonIt! 2.6 adds compatibility for Adobe Photoshop CS5 and 64-bit operation on Mac systems. The 2.6 update also adds many behind-the-scenes improvements, like background rendering, to make ToonIt faster and more responsive.ToonIt! Photo for Photoshop is regularly priced at $159, but will be on sale for $89 until 15 July 2010. The plugin works in Adobe Photoshop CS–CS5 and Photoshop Elements 6.0–9.0. A separate version for use in Apple’s Aperture is on sale for $79 USD, normally $129. ToonIt! Aperture is also updated to version 2.6 for the render improvements.

Website: Digital Anarchy

Ricoh has just released an iPhone app with Flick File functionality that connects iPhone users with its visual online storage service “quanp,” which provides 10GB of free online storage, easy ways to share large files up to 500MB, and advanced search and tagging capabilities for quick and easy management of files and documents. The new iPhone app builds on these capabilities, allowing uploading and management of photos and videos taken on the user’s iPhone, but also allows local sharing with other iPhone users utilising its Flick File functionality.

Website: quanp iPhone App

Adorama has announced the winners of the first annual APPOS Photo App Awards for the iPhone. The top 10 winning apps were selected from among the most frequently used apps in more than 17,000 images submitted into Adorama’s first annual iPhone Photography Contest. These include the following applications: Photoshop.com Mobile, CameraBag, Best Camera, Photogene, TiltShift Generator – Fake Miniature, ShakeItPhoto, Hipstamatic, PhotoForge, Lo-Mob and Photo fx (see screenshot above).

Website: Adorama APPOS Photo App Awards and Photo Contest for the iPhone

Sigma has updated its Photo Pro image processing software to version 4.1 (1044) for Mac and 4.1.1.0 for Windows. The new versions fix bugs and add full support for the Sigma SD15 digital SLR camera. The Windows version also provides 64-bit support. Owners of Sigma cameras can download the update for free.

Website: Sigma Photo Pro

A software update is now available for ColorChecker Passport. Version 1.0.2 includes a bug fix for using Passport software with Lightroom 3 when using “Export with Preset” allowing the dialogue box to appear for naming the profile being created. The update also provides improved colour extraction for better profile accuracy and improved patch detection, which eliminates errors in cases where the luminance of light-coloured patches meets or exceeds the luminance of the white patch. The update is free for all ColorChecker Passport users- all you need to do is launch the ColorChecker Passport software on a computer with an active Internet connection, and a dialogue box will appear asking you to authorise the download (see picture above).

iStockphoto has released a free application that allows users to browse its library of photos, illustrations and audio files from an Apple iPhone or iPod Touch. Customers can access and manage lightboxes of stored files from their existing iStockphoto account or create new lightboxes to save files for future viewing or purchase. The app also allows files to be e-mailed to clients and colleagues for discussion and evaluation. Available on iTunes, the iStockphoto iPhone app will soon be followed by an iPad version, the company says.

AKVIS has released ArtWork4.0, which transforms photos into paintings using various techniques. Version 4.0 introduces the linocut style, meaning photos can now be converted to an image in the style of a linocut print. A linocut is made by carving a raised pattern into a piece of linoleum, which is then used with ink to print that pattern onto paper. Linocuts are known for their characteristic expressiveness, strong contrast between black and white, and rich, exuberant strokes. According to AKVIS, it is an ideal effect to use with photos of architecture or nature scenes. In addition to the new linocut style, the program offers three more painting techniques including comics, oil painting and pen&ink. AKVIS ArtWork Home License (plug-in or standalone) sells for $72. Registered users can upgrade to version 4.0 free of charge.

Website: AKVIS

Alien Skin Software has announced the immediate availability of Exposure 3, the new version of its photography effects plug-in for Adobe Photoshop. New features include 64-bit support for Photoshop CS5 on both Macintosh and Windows, tight Lightroom integration that does not require Photoshop, aging effects and vintage films such as Technicolor and old Kodachrome, and more. Exposure 3 sells for $249; owners of any version of Exposure may upgrade for $99. Do note that Exposure 3 requires one of the following host applications: Adobe Photoshop CS3 or later, Adobe Lightroom 2 or later, Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 or later, or Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X3.

Website: Alien Skin

The See-View 3D Image Browser for for the iPhone/iPod Touch lets users feel their way through their image collections. Instead of relying on keywords, the complex algorithms sort the photos by colour, shape and content. Users can rotate, zoom, spin and select their photos in real time on a 3D-like display to find what they are looking for. Developed by UK-based See-Fish Technology, See-View has been launched worldwide on the App Store and is currently being adapted for use on the iPad.

Website: See-View

VSO Image Resizer 4 is a stand-alone application which will compress, convert, create copies, import, edit or organise a single picture or a whole batch. VSO Image Resizer 4 offers an improved stand-alone usage and a quick access to profiles from the Windows shell extension. The file selection has been revamped, allowing images and folders to be added together to the same project. With the live preview, a major new feature in VSO Image Resizer 4, users can see what the result will look like before actually resizing or converting images. The output can be sent directly by email or be compressed to a zip folder. Finally, the watermark function has been improved with html-like text formatting features.

Website: VSO Software