Blubox has been selected by Tesco Photo to power Tesco Picture Viewer. Blubox optimises images for more efficient storage and high speed sharing online. Tesco Picture Viewer is distributed free with every photo-CD dispatched. “We are very pleased to be working with the premier retail partner whose ethos is to provide its customers with the highest standard of service possible” says Peter Boswell, CEO at Blubox Software. “From February 2009, Blubox will contribute to the overall customer experience when they develop film and digital photographs with Tesco”

With the Thanksgiving holiday and Black Friday just a few days away, and only a few weeks until Christmas arrives, it’s time to start thinking about what you are going to buy the photographer in your life, even if that’s you! We’ve looked back over all the products that we’ve reviewed during 2008 and picked our favourites, including compact cameras, DSLRs, accessories and software to suit all budgets. So, somewhat in advance, Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

Website: Holiday Gift Guide 2008

Is it a compact camera? Is it a DSLR? No, its the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 “digital interchangeable lens camera”. Panasonic have quickly brought to market the World’s first Micro Four Thirds camera, which aims to marry the Live View experience of a point-and-shoot compact with the image quality and format of a DSLR, all in a compact package that sits somewhere between the two. Mark Goldstein finds out if the Panasonic G1 is the break-through camera that Panasonic are hoping for…

Website: Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 Review

Canon has warned that the $40 billion digital camera market could shrink in 2009, according to a report by Reuters. Sales of DSLR cameras have been affected by the global economic slump, although Canon has maintained its estimate for SLR sales to rise 38 percent to 4.4 million units in 2008. Canon’s Tsuneji Uchida commented “We hope we will see the same level of demand next year as this year. Whether or not that will become reality is up to economic conditions.”

Website: Reuters - Canon says digital camera market may shrink in 2009

Adobe Camera Raw 5.2 adds RAW file support for seven camera models, including the Canon EOS 5D Mark II and Panasonic DMC LX3. It also introduces the new Targeted Adjustment Tool for on-image refinements and output sharpening for print or screen output, and the ability to create a snapshot of all adjustments made to an image as a bookmark for future reference. The Photoshop Camera Raw 5.2 plug-in is available as a free download for existing customers of Photoshop CS4, Photoshop Elements 7, and Premiere Elements 7.

HANNspree has introduced two digital picture frame products offering a host of multimedia features and specialty-themed designs. HANNspree’s 7-inch and 8-inch digital picture frames include features such as auto-rotation of images, multi-format memory card reader, USB 2.0 port, slideshow functionality, calendar, and built-in internal memory storage. The 8-inch model also includes an alarm clock and the ability to incorporate music and video. The 7-inch SD7021 model costs $49.99, and the 8-inch SD80M4MB is $99.99.

As the worldwide economic crisis worsens, Nikon has laid off 1,500 of its subcontracting staff in Thailand. according to a report by the Bangkok Post. Falling demand in United States, Japan and Canada was blamed for the decision. Nikon has four factories in Thailand, employing a total of 8,000 permanent staff and 4,000 subcontracting staff.

Website: Bangkok Post - Nikon lays off 1,500 subcontracting staff

M-ROCK has released two new camera backpacks, the Zion 525 and McKinley 526. Identical except that the McKinley includes smooth roller wheels and locking telescope handle, both backpacks include a modular interior with a removable Accessory Bag and additional dividers for three set up options. Both models also include a rear compartment that can hold up to a 15 inch laptop computer. The M-ROCK Zion 525 costs $230, and the McKinley 526 $290.

Canon’s EOS 40D and 450D DSLR cameras have both won the coveted DIWA Gold award. “In many parts of the world, the Canon EOS 40D and EOS 450D are top sellers in their respective categories, and our unbiased DIWA Labs tests and DIWA expert opinions tell us why. Reputed Canon quality and excellent value for money are the key reasons behind the Canon EOS success story” commented Kai Thon, Test Manager of DIWA Labs.

The Fujifilm S100fs super-zoom compact camera has won DIWA Gold. “Choosing the Fujifilm FinePix S100FS with the powerful high-performance 14.3x Fujinon zoom lens covers virtually any photographic task; all in one lens. Although the camera’s image quality may not quite match a comparable D-SLR in all respects, many versatile features and a comfortable D-SLR-like design make the Fujifilm FinePix S100FS into a very sensible and budget friendly alternative.” concluded Kai Thon, test manager of DIWA Labs.

Kenro’s new foldable studio light table is ideal for product shots and close-up photography. The curved acrylic board creates the illusion of an endless horizon; this means the subject appears to float against the background. The light table is portable and can be easily folded away for storage. The Kenro Light Table is available now for £499.99, or complete with three Kenro Slim Light Heads for an all-inclusive price of £962.33.

The Pandigital PhotoLink Handheld Scanner transfers digital images into digital photo frames, PCs and laptops. You can quickly and simply scan existing color and black/white prints, up to 4x6 inches large, directly onto a convenient flash media card. In addition, the PhotoLink scanner can scan in photos that can be downloaded onto a PC or memory card for additional use. The Pandigital PhotoLink Handheld Scanner is available now for $99.99.

Fantasea have launched a new photo competition for users of their underwater equipment. The best pictures of which will be chosen for the new Fantasea screensaver. The overall winner will recieve a Fantasea Nano Single Pro Set, a complete lighting system, with 10 finalists each winning a Fantasea Nano Spotter Light. The deadline for receiving entries is January 5th, 2009.

Visual Similarity Duplicate Image Finder is an inexpensive software application that finds similar and duplicate photos on your computer, saving you hours of time. It uses advanced algorithms to find similar pictures in a way that a human does, even if they are in different image formats, different bit depth and image sizes. The Pro version even supports RAW files from most popular cameras. Jon Canfield used Visual Similarity Duplicate Image Finder to discover just how many multiple versions he’d created over the years…

Website: Visual Similarity Duplicate Image Finder Review

The Lens Trekker 600 AW II from Lowepro is billed as the ultimate backpack for sports and nature photographers. The main compartment can hold a 600mm telephoto lens attached to a pro DSLR, or unattached 800mm lens on its own, plus the lens hood and tripod. The Lens Trekker 600 AW II also comes with the Lowepro Pack Jack Harness System that allows you to adjust the removable torso harness to get a customised fit. The new Lens Trekker 600 AW II is available now in black and costs £199.

The tenth edition of the PhotographyBB Online Magazine has just been released. This month’s release includes a tutorial on better night photography, a guide on keeping your camera gear (and yourself) safe when shooting in winter conditions, Photoshopping your own personalized holiday cards, “Is CS4 worth the upgrade?,” a look at infrared photography, and much more. PhotographyBB Online Magazine is available for free download.

The FS-610 is a new underwater housing for the Nikon Coolpix S610 and S610c digital cameras. Fantasea’s new housing design and improved construction, together with a depth rating to 60 meters/200 feet, makes the FS-610 ideal for outdoor and underwater photographers. The Fantasea FS-610 housing has a double O-ring seal on all controls, anti-glare hood over LCD screen, 46mm port ring thread and built-in diffuser. The Fantasea FS-610 is currently available for $198.95.

Hasselblad’s new Camera Care Plan will provide international coverage to professional photographers, including 24 hour help desk and day-to-day exchange service. Corporate After Sales Manager, Carsten Kronborg, commented “...when photography is your profession, any equipment down time is potential lost revenue or dissatisfied clients. For this reason, we have developed the Hasselblad Camera Care Plan.” The Hasselblad Camera Care Plan will also provide up to two years of extended warranty coverage on top of the standard factory warranty.

The winners of Sony Ericsson’s World View 2008 cameraphone competition have been announced. The camera phone photo entitled “Peace” by Marriane Nill from the Philippines has won the ‘Expert’s Choice Award’. Marriane received a once in a life time photography trip for two, worth £10,000. Gisela Cañete from Argentina was named as the winner of the “The People’s Choice Award”. World View 2009 will kick off in the first half of 2009.

onOne Software have released holiday-themed frames, textures, layouts, backgrounds, and adornments for their PhotoFrame 3 and PhotoFrame 4 Photoshop plug-ins. “In the spirit of the holidays, we wanted to give our PhotoFrame users free content to add to their frame, texture and adornment library,” said Craig Keudell, president of onOne Software. “This is just the first of many free frame packs that we intend to provide to PhotoFrame users so they continue to get extra value out of their software.” These free elements are in addition to the 1000+ frames, backgrounds, textures, and adornments included with PhotoFrame 4.