Alien Skin Software today announced the forthcoming launch of Exposure 6, the latest version of its flagship photography effects software. Alien Skin’s creative focus and lens simulation program, Bokeh, has now been rolled into Exposure, thus eliminating the need to jump between programs. As such, Exposure now provides simple tools for photographers to draw attention to their subject by manipulating focus, vignette and depth of field. Along with the inclusion of Bokeh, Exposure’s user interface has been refined and enhanced. A new basic control panel contains sliders for global adjustments to areas such as exposure, contrast, clarity and vibrance for faster editing. The image processing engine has also been rewritten and now offers full-sized instant previews. Additionally, Exposure 6 includes many new lighting effects such as realistic sun flare, and authentic vintage borders developed by world-renowned photographer Parker J Pfister. Exposure 6 will be available in June for $149 

PXS Distribution has announced that the new EXtreme action camera is now available in the UK. The camera comes with an f/2.4 lens and a 12-megapixel sensor, as well as a built-in LCD screen. The camera supports video recording quality 1080p at 60fps, 960p at 60fps, 720p at 120fps, and WVGA at 240fps. The iSAW EXtreme can be mounted on a tripod or on the head, and can be fully controlled via a smartphone or a tablet through Wi-Fi. The iSAW EXtreme is available for $249.

DxO Labs have released DxO Optics Pro 9.1.5 for Mac and Windows. This upgrade enables DxO Optics Pro 9 to offer support for the Nokia Lumia 1020, the first smartphone capable of shooting raw (pictured). Version 9.1.5 also offers support for four additional cameras: the Canon EOS 1200D, the Olympus E-M10 and Stylus 1, and the Nikon Coolpix P340; and benefits from the addition of 472 new camera/lens combinations to the library of DxO Optics Modules. Photographers who acquired a DxO Optics Pro 8 license on or after 1 September 2014 are entitled to a free upgrade to version 9.

Crated is a new online marketplace for digital artists and photographers. Unlike other art selling sites, "Crated provides a turnkey solution for artists providing not only display and sales features, but also high-quality production, marketing and fulfillment functionality with the highest profit sharing available," the company says. "Crated’s artists receive support from start to finish and a generous revenue share of 80% of generated profits. Setting up a gallery is free, no credit card is needed and the site does not charge any transaction fees." In celebration of the launch, the first hundred artists to join by May 16 will have the opportunity to be featured in Crated’s first pop-up gallery in Soho ArtHouse, New York opening on 21 May 2014.

Kenro has announced the introduction of a new range of cost-effective Reflecta slide viewers to the UK and Irish markets. The £5.94 Reflecta B36 is a battery-operated, pocket-sizded 'light panel' with a convenient slot on the upper surface to drop a mounted 35mm slide onto and hold it firmly in place. For those who wish to view a number of slides in quick succession, the £42.84 Reflecta B220 is mains operated and uses a slot and tray changing system, allowing a 2.5x magnification on the built-in bright viewing screen. Completing the range is the £71.76 Reflecta B250 (pictured), which features a 5000 °K fluorescent lamp for daylight-balanced viewing. It comprises a light panel that accommodates either film strips or slides 24mm x 36mm or 120 roll films and has a 2x magnifier that can be moved along over the appropriate section for optimal viewing angle.

Want to see exactly what the new Samsung Galaxy K Zoom smartphone looks like in the flesh?

Check out our extensive hands-on gallery of photos of the new entry-level Samsung Galaxy K Zoom smartphone, which offers a 10z optical zoom lens and a 20 megapixel sensor.

The Samsung Galaxy K Zoom is a new smartphone that blends advanced digital camera technology with Samsung’s industry-leading Galaxy experience. The Samsung Galaxy K Zoom provides a 10x optical zoom in a remarkably slim and chic body, with a 20.7 megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS), Full HD video, and a Xenon Flash. The price and availability of the Galaxy K Zoom will be announced in due course.

Serif has just launched PhotoPlus X7. This latest version comes without the need for monthly subscriptions and has a range of new features, such as Lab Colour Mode – a comprehensive colour engine that offers users a more intuitive editing mode allowing users to quickly and easily fix contrast or alter tones. A new Lens Correction feature also helps users to remove distortions, vignetting and fix chromatic aberrations. Photographers can also quickly straighten images and correct vertical and horizontal perspective problems with an on-screen alignment grid. For adjustments, corrections and effects, the PhotoFix Studio features a new smart brush to protect certain areas. PhotoPlus X7 is compatible with Windows 8/7/Vista/XP and retails at £79.99.

The Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) has honoured the dust- and water-resistant Fujifilm X-T1(read review)  with its Best Expert Compact System Camera Award. The Fujinon XF10-24mm f/4 R OIS lens (read review) has been named 2014's Best Expert CSC Lens. This 15-36mm equivalent lens incorporates optical image stabilisation and has a newly designed optical system using 4 aspheric lenses and 3 extra low dispersion glass lenses.

Nikon has received four TIPA 2014 awards. The Best Entry-Level DSLR award went to the Nikon D3300 (pictured). The Nikon D4S has been named this year's best professional DSLR camera, whilst the Nikon AW1 has received the TIPA Best Rugged Camera award. Last but not least the Nion Df was honoured with the title "Best Premium Camera."

The “Traveller 150 Premium Duo” is a new aluminium tripod from Hama. Weighing in at 1530 grams, the Hama Traveller 150 Premium Duo extends to a maximum height of 150 centimetres and folds down to a mere 38.5cm. The tripod comes with a ball head equipped with a spirit level, and a carrying bag. What's more, if you remove the weight hooks from the central column, you can completely remove the column, unscrew one of the tripod legs, and quickly turn the tripod into a fully-functional monopod. The Hama Traveller 150 Premium Duo will be available for €239.

According to their Facebook page, Samyang will release 5 new lenses tomorrow. The new products include three cine lenses - an 8mm T3.8 and a 12mm T2.2 lens for compact system cameras, and a 10mm T3.1 for VDSLRs - and two photographic lenses, a 35mm f/1.4 for Canon and a 300mm f/6.3 mirror lens.

Magix has released Xara Web Designer 10 Premium, a Web design tool designed for people wanting to launch a high-quality website without the need to know HTML coding - including photographers. "For the first time we have created a simple no-programming system where you can create alternative page arrangements for the same content", says Charles Moir, Xara's founder and Managing Director. "Web Designer 10 Premium does all the clever work to automatically show, and instantly switch (respond) to the changing browser size.” Xara Web Designer 10 Premium retails for £89.99.

Leica has released an iOS app that lets you wirelessly control the Leica T compact system camera. The program enables users to control captue settins; view the live view feed; trigger the camera; start and stop video recording; and view, delete, download and share images captured with the camera. The app is now available on iTunes.