FotoAlbum 6 adds GeoTagging, support for XMP metadata and an integrated SQLite database. “We think that FotoAlbum 6 is the perfect tool for users wanting to organize their growing photo and video library,” said Jeff Kelling, FotoTime co founder and Chief Technology Officer. “As hard drive sizes continue to grow, and cameras commonly exceed 10 megapixels, we see FotoAlbum’s move to an integrated relational database not only important for performance, but also key to assuring that user’s data is stored safely, and can easily be used by other applications.” FotoAlbum 6 is available now. FotoTime offers $19.95 upgrade pricing for customers upgrading from FotoAlbum Pro 5, and $39.95 for new customers.

Printer calibration with ICC profiling is now available for SilverFast Ai Studio. Printer calibration ensures a fully calibrated workflow from input to output, and supports a wide range of media, paper types, and inks. “The new SilverFast Printer Calibration with ICC-Profiler will help our customers to create high quality prints, without requiring to purchase new hardware. We know that demanding users not only need superb quality from their scans and prints, they also need a reliable and easy to manage workflow. We feel that our new printer calibration technology will make that possible.” commented Karl-Heinz Zahorsky, President & CEO of LaserSoft Imaging AG. Printer Calibration with ICC-Profiling is available now for Mac and Windows platforms as an optional SilverFast Ai Studio feature at € 99.

The OWC Mercury On-The-Go portable hard drive is now available in a capacity of 500Gb for just $329. OWC Mercury On-The-Go portable drives are compatible with virtually all computers with an available FireWire or USB port, including all Macs and PCs. Fully bus powered with no additional external power required, each Mercury On-The-Go Drive features backup software - Prosoft DataRescue III for OS X and NovaStor NovaBackup for Windows. OWC Mercury On-The-Go Drives are immediately available and priced starting at $95.99.

Ricoh have released a new firmware update, version 2.03, for the GR Digital II compact digital camera. Version 2.03 fixes the following bug:

Modified the following phenomenon. A camera will not recognize the recommended flash from Sigma below.
EF-530 DG ST (SA-STTL)
EF-530 DG SUPER (SA-STTL)
EF-500 DG ST (SA-STTL)
EF-500 DG SUPER (SA-STTL)

Website: Ricoh GR Digital II Firmware Update 2.03

Imaging Resource have reviewed the Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS ELPH, a new 8 megapixel compact digital camera.

“The Canon SD1100 IS is a full-featured point-and-shoot digicam that really impresses. It offers all the best feature sets of 8MP resolution, Image Stabilization, Face Detection, Widescreen/Panorama Stitch, Movie Mode, Macro mode, and much more, all in the size of a pack of playing cards. If you crave compactness without sacrificing too much, the Canon SD1100 really delivers. Probably the only real compromise is the “mere” 3x zoom, while some of Canon’s more expensive models offer 3.8 and 4x zooms.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS Review

Website: Read our Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS Review

Fine Art Printing for Photographers provides the necessary foundation for fine art printing, covering color management, profiling, paper, and inks. The 2nd Edition of this top-selling book has been newly edited, and includes expanded coverage of the newest printers and papers. “If you want to get better prints without having to ship your images off to a lab, this is the book you must get. Eat beans for a week if need be, but get this book.” commented David Huss. Fine Art Printing for Photographers is available now for $44.95 USD.

The latest version of Phase One’s RAW processing software, Capture One 4.1, is now available. Version 4.1 adds support for the following cameras: Canon 450D/Rebel XSi, Mamiya ZD, ZD Back, Nikon D60, Pentax K20D, K200D, K110D, K100D Super, Sony DSLR-A350, DSLR-A300, DSLR-A200. Two lens correction features, tethered shooting and a Hot Folder feature have also been added. Capture One 4.1 is a free upgrade for licensed users of 4.x. Price for new users is 129 USD / 99 EUR. Capture One 4 PRO is expected later this year.

The Tamron SP AF28-75mm F/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) MACRO now has a built-in AF motor, making it compatible with Nikon’s APS-C DSLR cameras. The Tamron 28-75mm lens provides a field of view equivalent to 42-112.5mm when used with the Nikon D60, D40x and D40. Tamron have revealed that the new lens will be launched in Japan on May 30th 2008.

The Travel Photographer of the Year 2008 competition is now open for entries. There are three portfolio categories - Life, Call of the Wild and Joy of Travel - a One Shot category, Destination Anywhere, and Young TPOTY. New this year are the First Shot: Wish You Were Here category for less experienced photographers, and three special £1,000 awards for the Best Single Image in a Portfolio. Prizes include a place on the 2009 High & Wild Everest Skydive Expedition and Intrepid Travel trips to India and Cuba and to see the mountain gorillas of Uganda. The competition closes on September 9th. Entry costs £10 for a single image category and £15 for a portfolio category, and entry to Young TPOTY is free.

Nokia’s new XpressPrint service, powered by CeWe Color, allows you to print pictures and photo gifts straight from your Nseries handset. Your pictures will be posted to the address of your choice anywhere across Europe, within three days, with the first ten prints free. To use the service download and install the latest version of the Nokia XpressPrint application on to your compatible Nokia Nseries device.

PCMag have reviewed the ATP Photo Finder, a portable device that geotags photos taken by any digital camera.

“What I like best about the ATP Photo Finder is that it automatically geotags photos without your having to use a computer. But although this device is a decent first effort, and it needs a bigger and better screen—plus the ability to track satellites more reliably—before it earns a coveted spot in my camera bag.”

PCMag - ATP Photo Finder Review

The Nikon Coolpix S700 is the top-of-the range model in Nikon’s Style lineup of compact digital cameras. The S700 is a 12.1 megapixel model with a 3x zoom lens and brushed metal body. Billed by Nikon as “the smallest in its class”, the Nikon S700 also features a large 2.7 inch LCD screen, ISO 3200 mode, and optical vibration reduction for shake-free photos. Gavin Stoker found out if the S700 is just a pretty face…

Website: Nikon Coolpix S700 Review

The Tamron AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Aspherical (IF) MACRO now has a built-in AF motor, making it compatible with Nikon’s APS-C DSLR cameras. The Tamron 28-300mm lens provides a field of view equivalent to 42-450mm when used with the Nikon D60, D40x and D40. Tamron have revealed that the new lens will be launched in Japan on May 30th 2008.

Canon has released updates for virtually all of its camera software. Digital Photo Professional 3.4.1, EOS Utility 2.4, ZoomBrowser EX 6.1.1a, Picture Style Editor 1.3 and Canon RAW Codec 1.3 are all now available. To download the updates, select your DSLR camera on the Canon USA website, then the Drivers and Downloads tab, and finally choose the appropriate operating system. Here’s an example link using the Canon EOS 5D (pictured):

Website: Canon EOS 5D Drivers & Downloads

The winner of the “Everyday Smiles” photo contest from Sony and Reuters will have their photos displayed on a Times Square billboard. Aspiring U.S. photographers are invited to submit photos of themselves, their friends and their families smiling. Entries for the Everyday Smiles contest must be received between now and June 16th 2008.

Kodak Gallery members can now buy a Kodak digital picture frame preloaded with up to 100 of their favorite photos. Kodak will load the pictures on the frame and ship the package directly to you or your friends and family members. “KODAK Digital Pictures Frames are very popular and we’re thrilled to build on that popularity by offering an easy way for people to share pictures with the people they love, and the best part is that we do the work for you,” said Madhav Mehra, General Manager of KODAK Gallery.

ViewGenie Photo Explorer can build a map from photos of a scene and visually explore an environment. ViewGenie is unique in its ability to recognize specific visual detail in an image. “You can upload a bunch of photos from a vacation, or perhaps even a collection of similar photos, place direct tags on the images themselves–and then ViewGenie takes this all, links it together and ultimately tries to match the buildings and the objects using artificial intelligence.” says Parham Aarabi, President and CEO of ViewGenie, Inc. The ViewGenie Photo Explorer application can be embedded in any Web site or blog.

Olympus have released firmware updates for their FE- range of entry-level digital compact cameras. Firmware version 1.1 is now available for the FE-350 Wide (pictured), FE-330, FE-310, FE-290 and the FE-270. There are two improvements:

- The camera’s stability improves during operation.
- Changes have been made to the Korean version.

Website: Olympus Software Downloads

The Transcend StoreJet 35 Ultra is a new actively cooled eSATA external hard drive. The StoreJet 35 Ultra offers transfer speeds of 3.0Gb/s via its eSATA interface, or 480Mb/s via USB 2.0. It features an active cooling system that includes an extra-quiet 80mm high-flow fan to keep its internal drive running cool and stable. The StoreJet 35 Ultra is now available with either a pre-installed 500GB SATA hard drive, or without a drive.

The Nikon Discovery Awards 2008 offers students across the UK and Ireland the chance to win a share of £50,000 worth of prizes. Selected colleges and universities offering photographic courses have been invited to join the Nikon Academy, making them eligible to enter the competition. Entries for the competition must be submitted by 31st October 2008, when a panel of independent judges will select a shortlist of entries. To view the winning entries from the Discovery Awards 2007, visit www.nikon.co.uk/gallery