Comic Life 2 is the latest version of plasq’s award winning photo comic creation software for Mac OS X. Comic Life offers advanced balloon control and text flow, predefined and freeform shapes, integrated Facebook uploader and an enhanced user interface that preserves the ease of use. Comic Life 2 is available through plasq.com for $29.95.

TiltShift Video 1.2 applies the popular Tilt-Shift effect directly to videos recorded with an iPhone 3GS/4 or 3rd or 4rd Gen iPod touch. Available for $1.99 on the App Store, the TiltShift Video app allows the users to process their videos with the tilt-shift effect, giving a miniature look to them.

GeoLogTag 3.2 is a popular photo geotagging solution for iOS. It offers an all-in-one geotagging solution for photos taken with any digital camera. Version 3.2 of GeoLogTag now supports geotagging of SmugMug photos. Mac and Flickr geotagging was already available in earlier versions.

JVC will exhibit a new 4K consumer camcorder at CES 2011 in January. Offering approximately four times the resolution of Full HD, JVC have developed the world’s first LSI for high-speed processing of Full High-Definition video and stills on one chip. The LSI enables shooting and recording Full HD, including both 2D and 3D images, and also ultra-high-resolution 4K2K images.

Canon have released a firmware update for the EOS 60D DSLR camera. Firmware version 1.0.8 incorporates the following fix:

  1. Fixes a phenomenon in which captured images may become overexposed when using the camera’s built-in flash or an external Speedlite in combination with the lenses listed below:*
    a) EF300/4 L IS USM
    b) EF28-135/3.5-5.6 IS USM
    c) EF75-300/4-5.6 IS USM
    d) EF100-400/4.5-5.6 L IS USM

Website: Download Canon EOS 60D Firmware Update Version 1.0.8

Nikon have released a firmware update for the Coolpix P7000 camera. Version 1.1 includes the following changes:

  * Image recording time at image quality settings that include NRW (RAW) has been reduced.
  * Lens control has been optimized to reduce the frequency with which the “Initializing lens. Cannot focus.” message is displayed.
  * An issue that, in some rare cases, prevented zoom operation has been resolved.
  * An issue that caused the monitor display to exhibit a loss of detail in highlights (blown highlights) when the shutter-release button was pressed halfway with Active D-Lighting enabled has been resolved.

Website: Download Nikon Coolpix P7000 Firmware Update Version 1.1 (Windows)

Website: Download Nikon Coolpix P7000 Firmware Update Version 1.1 (MAC)

Fujifilm have released a new firmware update for the FinePix REAL 3D W3 camera. Version 1.10 fixes the following issues:

- In [HD][1280] movie recording mode, Economy mode ([HD][1280]E) can be selected.
In this Economy mode, movie quality for long period is optimized.
For long continuous recording of 3D HD movies, Economy mode setting is recommended.
* SD memory card with class 6 (6 MB/s) or better is recommended.

Website: Download Fujifilm FinePix REAL 3D W3 Firmware Update 1.10

Apple have released version 3.5 of the Digital Camera Raw Compatibility Update. This update adds RAW image compatibility for the following cameras to Aperture 3 and iPhoto ‘11:

  * Canon PowerShot G12
  * Leica D-Lux 5
  * Leica V-Lux 2
  * Nikon D7000
  * Nikon COOLPIX P7000
  * Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2
  * Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2

Website: Download Apple Digital Camera Raw Compatibility Update 3.5

The 80 megapixel Leaf Aptus-II 12 digtal camera back has now begun shipping. The Leaf Aptus-II 12 is the most versatile digital camera back ever made, allowing you to take your photography further - capturing the highest resolution, highest quality, single-shot images possible. The Leaf Aptus-II 12 and Leaf Aptus-II 12R support a wide range of camera models including Phase One and Mamiya 645DF cameras, Hasselblad H1/2, Hasselblad V, Contax, HY6/AFI, and a large selection of technical view cameras via adapters.

Shape Collage creates picture collages from photos on your computer or from the web to make collages in less than a minute. With just a few mouse clicks photos are automatically and intelligently placed into any shape a user a wants. Users can design their collages in custom shapes - like a heart shape for a romantic touch or holiday shaped collages like a Christmas tree, Santa, or a Snowman.

Win an unforgettable trip off Scotland’s dramatic West Coast in the ‘Wish You Were Here’ online travel photography competition. Three winners will enjoy a once in a lifetime photographic experience on the island with National Geographic’s Jim Richardson. Winners and their partners will enjoy a week’s stay in the exclusive Jura lodge, a VIP tour of the Jura distillery and island, a two day photography master-class from Jim Richardson, and an Olympus E-PL1 camera to capture images from their visit.

Only 15% of consumers back up their computer files on a regular basis (once a week or more). In a survey by Acronis, almost a third (29%) do not back up their files, photos and music, while a quarter (25%) state that they only back up when they remember.

Do you back-up your photos regularly? If so, what kind of system do you have in place? Let us know in the Comments.

PhotoCaddy 1.4 is an award-winning photography guide for iPhone and iPod touch devices. PhotoCaddy is a handbook for photographers of all skill levels, with content that is constantly evolving thanks to an active user community. Users have access to a growing range of photography topics, with each topic providing creative suggestions, technical camera settings, and equipment recommendations.

The PhotoShelter Print Vendor Network is a new open network of print vendors from around the globe. The PhotoShelter Print Vendor Network enables serious photographers to sell prints and products via their PhotoShelter websites while assigning fulfillment to a print vendor of their choice, virtually anywhere in the world.

The iWorkTablet is a new solution for working with a Wacom tablet and the iWorkCase. The iWorkCase is the first on-location workstation from photographers for photographers, as well as digital operators and DiTs. Every order of an iWorkCase or HyperMac battery placed by 31.12.2010 will be entered in a lottery for an iPad Wi-Fi + 3G 16GB.

TouchRetouch 2.0 is a new photo-editing software app for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad users. It allows users to remove objects from freshly captured or saved photographs easily, with finger swipes and taps only, without affecting any other elements of the picture. TouchRetouch 2.0 is available worldwide exclusively through the AppStore in the Photography category and for $0.99 (USD) only.

BlackBerry Presents MTV’s Brand New for 2011 is a new competition where one director, reporter or photographer will win a money-can’t-buy opportunity to showcase their talents with MTV. The winning photographer will be hanging out with MTV Bang presenter and model Natasha Gilbert, documenting the evening and artists through a lens. To secure this unique opportunity, entrants can simply upload their best picture from a live event, ensuring the image reflects the atmosphere and experience, and accompany this with a caption.

AKVIS Refocus improves the sharpness of out of focus images. It can process the entire photo or bring into focus only the selected part to make the subject stand out against the background. To achieve a more realistic selective focus effect, you can sharp one part of the photo and blur the rest. Registered users of AKVIS Enhancer can get this program for free. Other users can benefit from the 30% discount Christmas offer.

kiRay Camera 1.3 is a new photo correction app for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad users. The kiRay Camera app offers users a single click photo correction tool that works automatically when a new photo is taken. Saved photos can be opened and enhanced with just a tap or two to the screen to fix back lighting, brightness, focus and more. With more than 250,000 downloads, kiRay Camera has been sitting in the number one spot in Japan’s Photography category for the last year. kiRay Camera 1.3 is only $1.99 (USD) and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Photography category.