Kodak today announced the availability of a U.S. GSM version of the Kodak Ektra smartphone. The American launch coincides with a software update addressing requests for raw image file support, improved auto-focus performance, and optimisations auto-white balance and colour saturation. “Driven by the enthusiasm from customers in the UK, we are thrilled to bring Kodak Ektra to photo enthusiasts in the U.S.,” said Peter Stephens, CEO Bullitt Group, a Kodak licensee for mobile devices. “We are introducing new features and performance adjustments with today’s software update to help drive our customers’ creativity at an incredible value.” The Kodak Ektra smartphone is available for $399.99, sold unlocked and SIM free at retailers including B&H Photo Video, Best Buy and Amazon.

With the launch of Version 2.8, infltr has become the first smartphone app to allow editing of the four most popular types of visual media on iOS: photos, Live Photos, video & animated GIFs. Available in 22 languages and priced at £2.29, infltr boasts millions of filters. Users can change the filter throughout their recording, scroll through the finished video to find moments to filter, or play the video and change the filter at the same time. In the new infltr, 10 new adjustment & transform tools have been introduced to enhance all four types of media. Users can change the photo's saturation, brightness, contrast, filter intensity, crop, rotate, straighten, flip horizontally, flip vertically and change perspective horizontally and vertically. Users can combine these new adjustments with infltr’s original filters & vignette to create their own personal filters which are saved to their account on the cloud, and so accessible from any devices. These new editing capabilities have also been integrated in to infltr’s camera which allows users to capture filtered photographs and Live Photos The filter can be changed in camera mode in real time by touching the screen. Now saturation, brightness, contrast, vignette filter intensity can also be changed before shooting. Users can access and create their own personal filters directly from the camera.

The COOPH Photographer Apron combines art with craftsmanship, giving users a professional yet stylish look. The front pocket is perfectly designed to hold a light meter and the two side pockets are made for your lenses, or even just your hands. The rustic-style leather belts on the back ensure a rugged but fashionable look. They are worn across-the-body, which makes the apron very comfortable to wear on the neck. The COOPH Photographer Apron is available for €99 on the COOPH Store.

The 100-megapixel Hasselblad A6D-100c is the latest evolution of Hasselblad aerial cameras. The A6D Aerial camera includes a feature that allows up to eight cameras to be synchronised within 20 μs. A simple bus-type cable connection is required between all cameras in the set-up. This feature completely eliminates any issues in post-production caused by un-synchronised exposures. The A6D camera is available with or without Infra-Red filter for infra-red captures from 750nm to 1000nm to serve the needs of aerial analysis, such as environment surveying and crop management. NDVI, CIR and NIR imaging is possible with third-party software. Product Manager Bjarne Hjörlund commented, “Available in 100 megapixel resolutions, the A6D camera combines the world’s best optics and sensors with a modern, compact design, resulting in a system that will ensure you attain the highest possible image quality. Hasselblad aerial cameras provide a range of important features that help deliver your imaging requirements”.

CyberLink have released MakeupDirector 2, the latest version of their virtual makeup software. The software has hyper-accurate auto face detection, with more than 50 adjustable feature points for applying virtual makeup, making the tool invaluable for makeup professionals and photographers for retouching and allowing them to avoid the cost of trying every shade or brand out in real life. New features in Version 2 include custom colour palettes for foundation, eyeliner, blush and more; step-by-step makeup tutorials and a revamped contouring tool. Additionally, further integration has been made with Perfect Corp’s beauty community Beauty Circle. “Applying virtual makeup should not be limited to traditional photo retouching, but should provide a method for perfecting makeup designs in real life as well,” said Dr. Jau Huang, CEO of CyberLink. “With Makeup Director 2 we have made this concept a reality, by adding interactive tools that are granting makeup artists and photographers the flexibility to ensure the highest quality results, regardless of the challenges faced in their projects.” The program is available for $49.99.

The 36exp Photographers' School has announced the 2017 London Photo Show; a 5-day long exhibition in which photographers from all walks of life have the opportunity to display their work at the Strand Gallery in central London. The event, which will run from 18-22 October 2017, will present amateur and professional photographers a chance to display and sell their prints, and network with industry contacts. Event organiser Andrew Mason commented: “After we received such a great response from the last show, we’ve got even bigger plans this year, giving more photographers the chance to display their art. It’s tough for photographers to get their work seen, but the London Photo Show offers them an amazing chance to put their work in a well-known, prominent, central London gallery. It’s just what these photographers need to build their profile and get noticed.”

In an exclusive event; the first of it’s kind, theprintspace in partnership with Magnum Photos, are inviting the global photography community to participate in Magnum’s 70th anniversary celebrations, by swapping prints with each other and the photographers of Magnum Photos. The project is inspired by the exhibition David Hurn’s Swaps, drawn from Hurn’s extensive photo collection, exhibited as part of Magnum’s official 70th ​programme during Photo London. Curated by Martin Parr, the 70-piece exhibition explores both photographers’ commitment to and interaction with the wider global photographic community. This free-to-enter event is open to international submissions between 17 May and 12 June. The selected images will then be exhibited at theprintspace gallery (74 Kingsland Rd, London E2 8DL) from 29 June - 11 July 2017.

Building on their extensive range of reskinned Polaroid 600 cameras, Impossible now offer their latest addition, in a distinctive bold colour palette. According to the company, the Two-Tone BW colourway "elevates the playful classic with a custom finish." It has an easy-to-use point-and-shoot type interface, with a built-in flash, fixed-focus lens and simple controls for adjusting exposure levels. The camera is available for €149 and uses Impossible 600 type instant film.

The team at Db has unveiled the Hugger; a lightweight backpack that will hold and organise everything you need on the go. The bag is unique in that it features an ultra-light rib cage which protects your photo gear while still providing quick access to your camera. In case you're booked for a longer trip, the Hugger is designed with a hook-up system that allows you to take multiple bags with ease. The entire front of the main compartment unzips completely in one motion, so you never have to dig for anything. There are mesh pockets on the side for organisation but the main compartment is big and open for any type of gear you need to carry.In addition to the main compartment, the Hugger Collection also features a top compartment with easy access to rail passes, camera lenses, wallets or keys. The water resistant exterior ensures the safety of any belongings you keep inside. THe total capacity of the backpack is 60 litres. The Db Hugger bag is available for €159.

Sony today unveiled two new full-frame wide zoom lenses for their E-mount cameras. The new lenses include the FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM large-aperture wide-angle zoom and the FE 12-24mm F4 G ultra-wide angle zoom lens. The FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM joins the acclaimed FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM and FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS to round out Sony’s line-up of F2.8 large-aperture zoom lenses. Equipped with a variety of Sony’s most advanced lens technologies, it is the first wide-angle G Master model, making it ideal for landscapes, architecture, close up portraits, sports, action and much more. The front XA element on the Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM lens is the largest XA element ever produced, ensuring optimum quality. There are also two ED (Extra low-Dispersion) glass elements that keep chromatic aberration to a minimum while maximising resolution, and Sony’s original Nano AR coating that suppresses internal reflections to ensure excellent image contrast and clarity.

The new FE 12-24mm F4 G lens produces outstanding image quality in a compact, lightweight design, weighing approximately 566g. Sony’s widest full-frame E-mount lens, the FE 12-24mm f/4 G offers a dynamic perspective for landscape, architecture and interior photography, and is well-suited for both stills and video shooting. The lens features an innovative optical design with four aspherical elements that ensure excellent corner to corner sharpness and resolution. Additionally, it has three ED glass elements and one Super ED glass element that minimises chromatic aberration throughout the entire image and benefits from Sony’s original Nano AR coating.

The FE 16-35mm lens will start shipping from August 2017 priced at approximately €2,700/$2,200. The FE 12-24mm will start shipping from July 2017 priced at approximately €2,000/$1,700.

Manfrotto has launched the new Manhattan Camera Bag Collection. Comprising three models – a backpack, a 3-way shoulder bag and a messenger - built to seamlessly blend in with city life, Manfrotto’s Manhattan range is made of high-quality materials, with meticulous attention to detail. Designed to be highly functional, the bags effortlessly transform from photography to media carrier, comfortably holding all the equipment you need on an action-packed day around the city. The new removable Manfrotto Insert System safeguards photography gear at the heart of the bag, whilst the Flexy Camera Shell divider system combines uncompromising protection with never before seen flexibility, keeping your DSLR/CSC safe. Prices start from £79.95. Click through / read on for the details.

The Olympus Tough TG-5 is a new compact digital camera designed to capture images in the most challenging conditions. Successor to the TG-4, the new TG-5 has a 12-megapixel backlit CMOS sensor, an improved 25-100mm (eq.) f/2.0-4.9 lens with a new Anti-Fog Lens Cover Glass, a GPS sensor, manometer, compass and temperature sensor, and integrated WiFi. The camera is waterproof to depths of 50 feet (15 metres), shockproof from 7 feet (2.1 metres), crushproof to 220 pounds of force (100 kilograms of force), freezeproof down to 14°F (-10°C), and dustproof. In addition to taking 12-megapixel stills, the Olympus TG-5 can record 4K videos at 30fps, or Full HD movies at up to 120fps for slow-motion playback. The camera will become available next month, with an MSRP of £399.99/$449.99. A number of accessories including a silicone jacket and an underwater case depth rated to 45 metres will also be available from June. In addition the Olympus Tough TG-5 is compatible with a number of existing accessories, from add-on type conversion lenses to underwater flashguns and a flash diffuser.

Canon has today launched 'Live for the story', an entirely new brand proposition for the consumer and professional imaging business across Europe, in a bid to shift perception of the company amongst a younger audience. ‘Live for the story’ encourages people to find special memories in all moments of their life, no matter where they are or what they are doing.

Canon is looking for someone to fill a very unique position as it begins its search for the ultimate storyteller. The lucky person will spend a year chasing summer across the globe in order to identify 365 inspiring stories.

DJI has announced the availability of its Smart TV App for smart TV platforms including the Samsung Tizen TV and Apple TV. The DJI Smart TV App will allow users to stream a variety of aerial content and 4K videos captured from around the world, all in the comfort of their living room. Once downloaded and installed, the DJI Smart TV App can then be activated without the need for registration. “We’ve made flying and capturing aerial footage easy with our drones, and now with the DJI Smart TV App, creators will have more ways to share their work with the world. This is really an opportunity for people to be inspired, intrigued, travel to places they would have never imagined and see the world in a whole new way,” said Paul Pan, Senior Product Manager.

HTC today unveiled the HTC U11, the world’s first smartphone featuring squeeze interaction. With a simple squeeze, HTC Edge Sense lets you easily engage with your phone in an intuitive way, helping you more naturally enjoy things like taking photos or launching any of your favorite apps. The phone’s liquid glass surface is uses Optical Spectrum Hybrid Deposition. By layering highly-refractive precious minerals across the phone’s back cover, the company has created vivid new colours that transform light with every movement you make. The HTC 11's camera has earned a DxOMark Mobile score of 90, making it the highest-rated smartphone camera they've ever tested. The main camera unit features a 12-megapixel, 1/2.55"-type sensor and an f/1.75 lens with multi-axis optical image stabilisation. "We improved our camera and video for a more dynamic exposure range with HDR Boost without the lag, new white balance enhancement, a major reduction in noise, and excellent detail preservation," the company says. "HDR Boost offers clearer, more balanced pictures by taking multiple shots that measure the darkest shadows and brightest highlights without any slowdown." The HTC U11 incorporates the new UltraSpeed AutoFocus, so you can enjoy significantly faster focus speeds. The new front camera now combines16 megapixels of resolution and the company's UltraPixel light sensitivity for brilliant selfies day or night. It also utilises the same HDR Boost and noise reduction technologies as the main camera. The HTC U11, available in Amazing Silver, Sapphire Blue, Brilliant Black, Ice White, and Solar Red, and will be available worldwide from May 2017 onward.

The Kraszna-Krausz Foundation (KKF) today revealed the shortlisted entries for its annual photo book awards. Established in 1985, the KKF Book Awards are the UK’s leading prizes for books published in the fields of photography and the moving image and the two winners share a £10,000 prize. The shortlisted works were chosen by an international panel of leading photography professionals after an open call for submissions, and will be on display at Photo London, Somerset House from 18 until 21 May 2017. Click through / read on for more information on the shortlisted photography and moving image books.