SanDisk is now shipping in volume its 1GB SanDisk SD “write once read many” (WORM) cards to Japan’s police force. Using the SanDisk SD WORM card, law enforcement officers can create unalterable, permanent photographic records that serve as resources during investigations or as potential evidence during trials. Officers simply insert the card into an SD WORM-compatible digital camera and begin capturing images. Later, they can transfer the images to a computer while maintaining unchangeable originals on the WORM card - ensuring that the justice system has access to evidence of indisputable accuracy. The SanDisk SD WORM card is available worldwide in a 1GB capacity, with pricing dependent upon the quantity ordered.

PhotoReflect, a photography storefront hosting and e-commerce site, is now providing new and improved tools to increase sales for the professional photographer. These include digital download packages, creation tools, auto-orienting photo gifts and a multi-dimensional representation of gallery canvas. These tools let photographers “configure their product offerings in ways necessary to meet the unique needs of their individual business,” the company claims.

Website: PhotoReflect

Boingo’s “Hotspots and Snapshots” digital photo contest could land you a new Wi-Fi enabled Samsung digital camera. There are four categories including Travel, Happingess, Technology and Boingo Hotspots - and each category winner will receive a Samsung ST5500 / CL80 digital camera. The competition is open to amateur photographers all over the world. You have until 22 July to submit your work.

Website: Boingo Blog

A UK-wide survey, whose findings have been unveiled today, asserts that the rise of camera phones poses no real threat to traditional photography. The survey, conducted by YouGov on behalf of Polylooks, Deutsche Telekom’s online photo agency, found that only about a fifth of Britons believe their camera phone is sufficient for their photographic needs. Nearly one in three (28%) respondents owned an SLR camera, with ownership higher among more senior age groups. Polylooks’ survey also found that men (17%) were almost twice as willing as women (9%) to spend more than £400 on a camera. Nearly a tenth of all respondents entertained the thought of going pro at some point, and exactly 10% considered submitting their images to microstock sites. “The British passion for photography remains as strong as ever,” said Norbert Weber, head of Polylooks. “While many of us now have a decent camera as part of our mobile phone, our study shows that not only do most British consumers prefer to use a high-quality camera for personal photography, but that a comparatively large amount would like the option to make money from their images.”

Sigma has updated its Photo Pro image processing software to version 4.1 (1044) for Mac and 4.1.1.0 for Windows. The new versions fix bugs and add full support for the Sigma SD15 digital SLR camera. The Windows version also provides 64-bit support. Owners of Sigma cameras can download the update for free.

Website: Sigma Photo Pro

A software update is now available for ColorChecker Passport. Version 1.0.2 includes a bug fix for using Passport software with Lightroom 3 when using “Export with Preset” allowing the dialogue box to appear for naming the profile being created. The update also provides improved colour extraction for better profile accuracy and improved patch detection, which eliminates errors in cases where the luminance of light-coloured patches meets or exceeds the luminance of the white patch. The update is free for all ColorChecker Passport users- all you need to do is launch the ColorChecker Passport software on a computer with an active Internet connection, and a dialogue box will appear asking you to authorise the download (see picture above).

The 29th edition of the free PhotographyBB Online Magazine is available for download. The edition features a tutorial on how to create dramatic landscape photos. Additionally, readers will learn about the differences between small flash units and studio strobes, along with the practical applications of each option. This release also examines the relationship between sensor sizes vs megapixels in digital cameras, and how both of these factors combined affect overall image quality. In its Photography Around the World series, the magazine takes its readers to the island of Oahu to show them the filming locations from the TV series, LOST.

Website: PhotographyBB

Panasonic’s new TV ad was shot using the camera it advertises. Set in Valencia and centred on two world-class parkour practicioners, the spectacular TV spot highlights the versatlity of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 as a video camera. The filming technique employed enabled one of the parkour traceurs to flip off a wall over the other, holding not only the G2 to film his action but also a bespoke camera rig attached to the G2. In addition to the advert itself, Panasonic has released a behind-the-scenes video revealing how the ad was shot.

Olympus’ SuperSonic Wave Filter (SSWF) anti-dust technology has won an award in Japan’s National Invention Awards 2010. This technology is found in all of Olympus’ interchangeable-lens digital cameras, including their Micro Four Thirds models and DSLRs alike. Given that the SSWF was already implemented in the Olympus E-1 of 2003 (pictured), the timing of the award is somewhat surprising. The award ceremony is scheduled to be held at Hotel Okura, Tokyo, on July 30.

Website: Olympus press release (in Japanese)

Newpro has taken delivery of three newly designed Cullmann ball & socket heads and a Magnesit monopod. The Cullmann CB2 head (£24.99; load capacity: 1kg) features a reversible top section so you can use it either as a standard 1/4” thread ball & socket head or as a flash shoe mount for off-camera flashes (see illustration above). The CB7.1 ball head (£39.00) has both 1/4” and 3/8” threads, and is suitable for use with most cameras and camcorders up to a maximum weight of 4kg. The CB7.3 (£57.00) features the same specifications as the CB 7.1 head but comes complete with a quick release system and a quick release plate. Finally, the Cullmann Magnesit 560 (£79.99) has a 4-section leg and ranges from a closed size of 46cm up to an extended length of 160cm.

Website: Newpro

Point101 has launched an online giclée prints service. Giclée is a fine art term describing high quality, short run print jobs using large format ink-jet printers and archival inks. Point101’s giclee prints are available on Ilford Pearl, Fotospeed Matt and Hahnemühle Photorag media; and in standard, square, A sizes and panoramic formats. Their Flash-based interface lets you position, crop and accurately preview your images in a virtual living room. To upload your photos and get detailed information on giclée prints, head to the website below.

Website: Point101

Nikon has jsut launched NikonLIVE as part of its sponsorship of the Nikon at Jones Beach Theater with Live Nation. Fans will be able to view images taken by performing artists in the site’s “Sound Check” area, and view professionally photographed images in the “Rock and Roll Picture Show” area. Nikon’s professional photographers will give fans an exclusive, behind the scenes look at their favorite music acts, as well as provide fans with advice and tips on how to shoot great images and video with their digital cameras. In addition to visiting nikonlive.com, fans will be able to follow updates from other fans along with bloggers, photographers and participating artists by using the Twitter hashtag #NikonLive and by visiting the Nikon Facebook Fan Page.

In the second quarter of fiscal 2010, Adobe achieved record revenue of $943 million, representing 34 percent year-over-year revenue growth. The company attributes the strong performance to the successful launch of Creative Suite 5 in April. GAAP diluted earnings per share for the second quarter of fiscal 2010 were $0.28, while non-GAAP diluted earnings per share were $0.44. Adobe also announced its Board of Directors has granted authority for the company to repurchase up to $1.6 billion in common stock through the end of fiscal 2012.

iStockphoto has released a free application that allows users to browse its library of photos, illustrations and audio files from an Apple iPhone or iPod Touch. Customers can access and manage lightboxes of stored files from their existing iStockphoto account or create new lightboxes to save files for future viewing or purchase. The app also allows files to be e-mailed to clients and colleagues for discussion and evaluation. Available on iTunes, the iStockphoto iPhone app will soon be followed by an iPad version, the company says.

Pixum has launched its annual SummerZoom photo competition. Amateur photographers across 10 European countries - including Germany, Austria, France, Denmark, UK, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, Spain and Norway - can enter their favourite holiday pictures and travel stories to win a waterproof Pentax Optio W90 digital camera, a big Pixum Acrylic Print or a Pixum Photo Book Large with hard cover. Additioally, all entrants will get a voucher for 25 free 6”x4” photo prints. Residents of the ten countries listed above have until the end of September to upload their photos and enter their travel stories via the website below.

Website: Pixum SummerZoom 2010

Pentax has opened its first camera boutique within Willoughby’s Camera, New York City’s oldest photographic emporium. The new shop-in-shop puts visitors within easy reach of Pentax DSLR cameras, premium lenses, stylish and rugged compact cameras and a full line of sport optics including binoculars and scopes. Today from noon to 2pm, shoppers may trade in any pre-owned camera for major savings on a new Pentax digital camera purchased over-the-counter from Willoughby’s.

The Annenberg Space for Photography has announced a range of programmes that will coincide with The Year, an exhibit featuring winning photos from the 67th annual Pictures of the Year International (POYi) competition. The exhibition itself opens its doors to the public on 26 June and runs until 10 August. The Annenberg Space for Photography will offer two digital feature presentations, weekly IRIS Nights lecture series and a slideshow night presenting special photography related to the themes in the exhibit. All programming is free to the public with advance online registration at the website below.

Website: Annenberg Space for Photography

Lexar has just introduced the Lexar Multi-Card 24-in-1 USB Reader. Featuring five slots and supporting 24 memory card formats, the newest reader is an all-in-one solution enabling concurrent downloads and card-to-card file transfer. Boasting a unique pop-up design, which allows the card slots to be protected when not in use, the Lexar Multi-Card 24-in-1 USB Reader comes equipped with a Hi-Speed USB 2.0 cable. The recommended retail price for the reader is £29.99.

Flickr has launched a new page layout for members’ photos. Firstly, the default size of the images has been increased by 28% linearly, reaching 640 pixels on the longer side. Secondly, the film strips have been redesigned to show more of the surrounding photographs in a set or a group. Thirdly, a location map has been added to the right-hand column next to each photo that has been geotagged either manually or automatically. Other changes include the introduction of a new “light box view” that allows photos to be displayed against a black background, the removal of the button clutter above the images, the addition of new navigation tools, the integration of favourites with the comment stream, and more. As of writing, the new look can only be previewed by members, so you’ll need to sign in and click the “Take me to the future’” link above any photo to actually see it, but Flickr promises that the new features will be rolled out to their entire audience in the coming weeks.

Source: The Flickr Blog via 1001 Noisy Cameras