Google’s Street View project has arrived in the UK and the service is now available for 25 cities. Street View, which was first released in the USA two years ago, provides 360-degree street-level panoramic views of cities and towns, making it possible to take a virtual tour of places before you actually visit them. The photographs used to create these panoramas are captured using specialised cameras mounted on Google branded cars. When Google announced last year that Street View would come to the UK, there was an outcry that it would violate citizens’ right to privacy. Google responded to this by saying that it would blur out any car number plates and human faces - you can check whether they have kept their promise by visiting the website below.

Website: Google Maps

Picaboo now allows you to create photo books with “lay flat” pages, which lay flat no matter how many pages there are. These photo books are made with a special post binding system and hinged paper. Picaboo 2.5, a new version of its free downloadable software, provides five new book styles, custom cover stamping, and black and white or sepia photos. Picaboo is currently offering a promotion until March 31th, 2009 (CODE: PCBBGF)* where customers who purchase certain photo books can receive an additional copy for free. Photo book pricing starts at just $9.99 and shipping is additional.

Albelli is a new UK photo book print service. Launched by Albumprinter, Europe’s leading photo book provider, Albelli enables UK residents to create high quality photo books, calendars and diaries, with delivery within eight working days. Albelli offers thick 200g inside paper, strong cover material and an attractive range of product features including the ability to create a personal photo cover, the option to add a title on the spine and, unique in the UK, printing pages in high gloss.

FotoInsight Designer 4.5 is a new photo book application that integrates with Flickr, Facebook, Picasa and geotagging site “locr”. Users can complement their photo albums with additional pictures from photo sharing sites, straight from within the FotoInsight Designer software. This latest release also features new photo book formats and new features like fading frames and festive templates. Compatible with Windows XP, Linux and Mac OS 10.5 Leopard and above, version 4.5 of the FotoInsight Designer software is now available to download.

QOOP is a new website that gives artists, authors, photographers, designers, and publishers a free and simple way to monetize their digital content. “We provide simple tools to directly upload images to QOOP or import images from flickr with associated titles, tags, descriptions, and EXIF data so you don’t have to repeat all the effort already put into properly describing your images. It just takes a few steps from there. You choose the products you want to sell, set your royalties, and you’re all set. Your stores live on QOOP, and your listings are easily discovered by searches on Google, Yahoo, and Live.com. It’s a great way to get started making some money on your images,” said Tin Hoang, QOOP’s Art Director.

American Society of Media Photographers members can now use The Copyright Registry for free. ASMP members can use The Copyright Registry to display their contact information, to link each image to its official registration at the U.S. Copyright Office, and to connect potential licensors to the e-commerce or licensing process of the photographer or their agent for each image. The registry also locates online uses of duplicates of each photographer’s images.

Cooliris is a free browser plug-in that allows you to view photos in an expansive 3D wall. Users can now submit their photos to Cooliris via a Flickr group, with approved photos appearing in the “Photos of the Day” channel. Cooliris is available for Firefox (Windows and Mac), Internet Explorer, and Safari.

Website: Cooliris Flickr Group

Website: Cooliris

Getty Images and Flickr have launched the Flickr Collection, a creative imagery collection now available for commercial licensing. “We are impressed with the talent from the Flickr community, and are proud to once again lead our industry in this exciting new direction. We are eager to hear what our customers think, and look forward to their input in shaping this ever-expanding collection.” said Jonathan Klein, co-founder and chief executive officer of Getty Images. Photographs for the Flickr Collection were selected by Getty Images’ editors, with images available in both royalty-free and rights-managed licensing models.

dxomark.com has published RAW measurement results for the Sony A700, A300, and A200 DSLR cameras. There’s also a newly-published review of the A700 which includes findings about the camera’s internal RAW processing implementation. www.dxomark.com is a free online resource that delivers key objective sensor performance metrics measured directly on the RAW image for a variety of cameras.

Ever wondered what to do with your old memory cards? Photochaining could be the answer. The PhotoChaining blog is a continuous project where people practice the art of leaving memory cards in public places to be picked up and used by others, who then do likewise. Still in its infancy, 19 memory cards have been found and displayed on the site so far.

Website: Photochaining

Shapeways Photoshaper allows anyone to turn digital photographs into 3D printed objects. Based on the contrast of the picture the Shapeways Photoshaper automatically creates a depth-layered 3D object that can be printed. The Shapeways Photoshaper 3D photo is produced and delivered globally within 10 days, and costs between $40-50 (USD), including shipping.

Popular photography website Steve’s Digicams has been bought by Internet Brands, a leading internet media company. “We are excited to be part of this powerful platform and look forward to the continued growth in content, technology, and community that Internet Brands will bring to Steve’s Digicams.” said Dannee Saylor, CEO and Editor of Steve’s Digicams. A press release from Internet Brands reveals that they bought four websites, including Steve’s Digicams, for $2.8 million in December 2008.

Nikon DTOWN is a new weekly show focusing on Nikon products. Brought to you by Scott Kelby and Matt Kloskowski with KelbyTraining.com, Scott and Matt will share their photography knowledge along with the coolest tips and tricks for Nikon’s digital SLR cameras.

Website: Nikon DTOWN

ZIO Pro are giving away a free Photoshop training DVD to every person who registers. The DVD is worth $60 and is shipped right to your door (including free shipping within the US). Plus, there’s also the chance to win a complete Creative Editing Workstation, including Adobe CS4 Production Premium, a Canon XH A1S HD camera and a HP Personal Computer.

The 13th edition of PhotographyBB Online Magazine is now available for free download. The February 2009 release features techniques on shooting concert photography along with issues to consider when shooting in concert environments, a photographic view of skiing in Italy, and an article for the aspiring pro-photographer entitled “How to Get Your Photos Published.” “This issue marks a major milestone for PhotographyBB; our one year anniversary issue. Our team has worked so hard over the past 12 months with their informative and thoughtful contributions to the magazine, and the reader feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.” commented Editor in Chief, Dave Seeram.

If you haven’t yet gotten the chance to open up a copy of Picture magazine, now’s the time.  Hailed as a creative force for the emerging photographer, the bi-monthly Picture is also a valuable industry resource for the professional shooter. The magazine has been nominated for a “Lucie Award” for best photography magazine by the International Photographic Awards, and continues to shine with its clean design and editorial vision.

Framed Horizons are running a photographic training tour of Thailand, with £50 off available exclusively to PhotographyBLOG readers. Training sessions are led by Steve Studd, a travel photographer with a portfolio including works for National Geographic and Rough Guide. The Framed Horizons tour allows you to experience true Thailand from bustling Bangkok, to the mountains of the north and paradise beaches of the south. Pricing starts from £1,699 excluding flights.

The latest dxomark.com updates include RAW sensor rankings for medium format cameras. Measurements for the Hasselblad H3DII, Leaf Aptus 75s, Mamiya ZD, and Phase One P45+ cameras are now available. “Adding our measurements on this first set of medium-format cameras to our database demonstrates our commitment to our goal of building the most comprehensive database of RAW image information available,” said Nicolas Touchard, Vice President of Marketing, DxO Labs Image Quality Evaluation.

Microstock image website Pixmac are offering $500 for every 500 pictures uploaded and approved. From 1st February 2009, all contributors who upload their pictures on Pixmac will get a $500 sales guarantee for 2 years for every 500 approved pictures.If you want to get the cash immediately, you can choose the option to get $100 for every 500 approved pictures - before having had any sales. This promotion runs until 28th February 2009.

Popular UK online photo processor PhotoBox has just launched its new Pro Gallery service. Available to all Photobox users, PhotoBox Pro Gallery allows you to sell your photos online without any set up costs. As a gallery owner you get to choose the products and print sizes you want to sell and set the price you want to sell them at. PhotoBox then take care of all the printing, payment and delivery in exchange for a 10% commission fee on any sales.

Website: PhotoBox Pro Gallery