Adobe today released the Photoshop Camera Raw 5.5 plug-in and DNG Converter 5.5 Release Candidates available immediately. The update extends raw file support to four of the latest popular camera model releases, including the Nikon D300s, Nikon D3000, Olympus E-P1 and Panasonic DMC-FZ35. The Release Candidate also includes a correction to the demosaic algorithms in the raw conversion process for Bayer sensor cameras with unequal green response. The Photoshop Camera Raw 5.5 plug-in and DNG Converter 5.5 Release Candidates are available as free downloads for existing customers of Photoshop CS4.

Website: Adobe Labs

Windows Live Movie Maker makes it easy for Windows 7 and Windows Vista users to create and share movies from their photos and videos. Available as a free download, Windows Live Movie Maker is first application within the Windows Live Essentials suite optimized for Windows 7. It features a Auto Movie option that creates a great-looking video in under one minute, including transitions, a title, captions and a music soundtrack.

Datacolor is offering all users of its Spyder3 colorimeter system a discount on its Spyder3TV software to properly calibrate their colour TVs. Whether your TV is a flat screen LCD, plasma, RPTV, DLP, conventional (colour tubes) or projection, users can now get the same colour accuracy in image reproduction from their television using the special SpyderTV software application. The Spyder3TV software kit includes a software CD, test pattern DVDs (for PAL and NTSC) and a Quick Start Guide at retail outlets for $79.00 or as a download option direct from Datacolor for $59.00.  Users who purchase the download version can burn the software and test images directly to a DVD. Note that the Spyder3TV software kit (retail kit or download) can only be used by customers who already own a Spyder3Pro, Spyder3Elite, or have access to either.

AKVIS Software has released version 9.0 of AKVIS Sketch, its application that converts photos to colour and B&W pencil drawings and watercolour paintings, for Windows and Macintosh. Version 9.0 of AKVIS Sketch has a new improved algorithm for photo-to-sketch conversion (the option to use the old algorithm remains). The program has a new parameter field for edge definition. Now it is possible to manipulate the thickness and sharpness of the outlines. The new version also adds the possibility to change the saturation of colour strokes when using colour pencil drawing mode. AKVIS Sketch is available as a stand-alone application, as well as a plugin to a photo editor. AKVIS Sketch Home License (plug-in or standalone) sells for $72 USD or 55 Euro,  downloadable from www.akvis.com. Registered users of the previous versions can ugrade to version 9.0 for $39.

iPhone app publisher, Unique Apps, has recently released a new iPhone application called PhotoScatter; which allows users to submit photos to most of the top photo sharing sites on the Internet. Version 1 of PhotoScatter supports the following sites: Facebook, Flickr, Shutterfly, PhotoBucket, Picasa, and Twitter (TwitPic). More photo sharing sites will be added to future versions, the company says. Currently retailing at $0.99, PhotoScatter can be purchased in the iTunes App Store.

Imatronics have launched version 3.0 of Panorama Express, designed to make it easy for anyone to create, manage and publish spectacular virtual tour packages. Users can simply open their photos (standard or panoramic) and Panorama Express automatically creates a professional virtual tour complete with transition effects, attractive skin packaging, engaging startup screens and more. A free trial version can be downloaded from the website below.

Website: Panorama Express

Athentech Imaging Inc. has announced an iPhone / iPod application featuring the company’s Perfectly Clear image correction technology, which has been used successfully in retail photo kiosks, minilabs and online photo sites. Athentech Imaging’s “one click” Perfectly Clear iPhone application assures that the millions of photos being taken by iPhone and iPod users can be simply optimized for exposure, colour accuracy, sharpness and “depth” with a single touch, the company said. Perfectly Clear iPhone is available as an online download via the Apple iTunes App Store for $2.99.

FotoMuse for iPhone is an application that promises to transform snapshots into “artistic renderings” in just a few simple steps. The FotoMuse app enables users to import any photo from their iPhone album and “transform it into a work of art” in under 20 seconds. “People can crop, resize, and mix images with artifacts from old photos, vintage-edged film, and other media,” said Kris Gebhardt, developer. “After adding contrast, selecting a border, and choosing a layer, it’s easy to save the image – without actually changing the original photo.”

Website: Kris Gebhardt

N-Tonic has released the availability of SnaggleFind, a platform which allows iPhone users to complete and share photographic scavenger hunts.  Users can simply complete SnaggleFind hunts and share their photographic interpretations with others, or take it a step further and create their own hunts to share a particular passion, educate and/or challenge others in the SnaggleFind community. They compete by accumulating points based on the difficulty of the hunt and user ratings. Once a user accumulates enough points, prizes or bonus hunts will be made available for them to complete. Completed hunts are rated and commented on by members of the SnaggleFind community. iPhone users can download SnaggleFind from Apple’s App Store or from www.SnaggleFind.com for $1.99.

Nikon have released a new version of Nikon Transfer, a download utility which allows images to be simultaneously downloaded to two locations. Version 1.5.0 of Nikon Transfer adds support for the new Nikon D300s, D3000, Coolpix S570, S640, S70, and S1000pj digital cameras and implements the modifications listed below.

Website: Nikon Transfer 1.5.0

Nikon have released a new version of its Nikon ViewNX software, which adds support for the new Nikon D3000, D300s, S70, S570, S640 and S1000pj digital cameras, and includes a number of improvements and bug fixes too. In version 1.4.0 of Nikon ViewNX, a ‘Send notification mail to my address (Email ID)’ checkbox has been added to the Share Settings dialogue displayed with the my Picturetown upload function, ‘New Album’ is now displayed in the ‘Subject (Required)’ text box in the Share Settings dialogue, support for A2+ sized prints has been added and a number of other issues have been resolved.

Website: Nikon ViewNX 1.4.0

SeeFile Software has introduced SeeFile 4.7, a new version of their digital asset management software. SeeFile 4.7 offers an elegant web interface, an easy to use media bank and a delivery system accessible from any standard web browser. New development included backend changes, making page loads and image processing faster, optimising the layout, and adding functionality. Installing SeeFile takes only minutes, and the solution works like an FTP server (allowing creation of users with home folders) that will fit into nearly any workflow. The system allegedly offers all the standard tools available on digital asset management/delivery software. SeeFile 4.7 is priced from $499 to $4,995, depending on number of user licenses.

Camera Bits today announced that it offers a 15%-plus discount, which includes two-year upgrades, to any qualifying student, teacher, school administrator, school or district that purchases Photo Mechanic Version 4.6. Photo Mechanic is a photo browser and workflow solution that is claimed to be the most popular photo editing software used by educational institutions, the U.S. military, photojournalists and major newspapers and news organizations including The Associated Press. “We are thrilled to help students, educators and institutions of all sizes experience Photo Mechanic,” said Dennis Walker, founder and president/CEO of Camera Bits. “It has become the industry standard for photographers to sort, manage and edit multiple images, and we believe that students should have the opportunity to learn about digital photography and photojournalism with the same tools they will be using as professionals.”

Website: Camera Bits

Epson has issued a free firmware update for its P6000 and P7000 Photoviewers, which enables tethered shooting with the Nikon D90, D300, D700, D3, D3X and Canon EOS 40D, 50D, 5D Mark II, 1D Mark III and 1Ds Mark III cameras. The new firmware allows images to be captured directly onto the Photoviewer by remotely controlling the firing of the camera shutter up to a distance of seven metres from the camera body. Once a photograph has been taken, the image can be immediately previewed on the Photoviewer’s screen. Photographs are saved to both the camera memory card and the Hard Disk Drive of the Photoviewer, bypassing the process of transferring images whilst simultaneously backing up all photos.

Website: Epson Firmware Update

Kodak has released an updated free version of their Kodak EASYSHARE Software, which promises to deliver easy and fast upload to Facebook, YouTube and the Kodak Gallery. Kodak’s EASYSHARE Software is an award-winning, full-featured photo software applications that consumers prefer to use to organize, edit, share, create, and print from their digital collection.  The software is free and works seamlessly with Kodak cameras, printers, digital frames, and Kodak Gallery. Version 8.0 is available via download for free at the website below.

Website: Kodak EASYSHARE Software

Synology America Corp. has announced the availability of their new iPhone application, DS photo, which is available to download for free. DS photo provides Disk Station users the ability to use an iPhone or iPod Touch to upload photos to their Synology Disk Station, or browse photos stored directly on their Synology Disk Stations remotely. Users can upload their photos to an existing album or create a new one, and customise the photo titles and descriptions. Uploaded photos are instantly available through the web-based Synology Photo Station 3 and can be viewed with a desktop computer, iPhone, or Windows Mobile phone. DS photo is available for download on the Apple App Store.

iPhone developer appMobi LLC has announced the availability of “PhotoBeamer 1.1” on the Apple App Store. “Intuitively, people hand their phones to friends so they can see the photos better, and invariably, friends begin flicking through their entire photo libraries, looking at all photos whether the owner want them to or not,” appMobi says. “PhotoBeamer was created to solve this problem by allowing users to use the iPhone’s built in Bluetooth wireless technology to allow viewers to see (and optionally save) on their own devices only the photos that the sender wants them to see.” PhotoBeamer is available in the Apple App Store for $0.99. The receive-only BeamCatcher app is free.

ExpressDigital have announced an update to Darkroom Assembly Edition, their workflow software designed for school and team photographers. Darkroom Assembly Edition “features greenscreen, online storefronts and lab connection, and that interacts seamlessly with cameras, work stations, barcode scanners, and digital media burners all while automating business functions”, the company says. To commemorate this innovation, ExpressDigital further reveals an agreement with Desktop Darkroom to serve as a dedicated support and service arm available to provide free comprehensive online training and one-year phone support – as well as $1,300 in free software and templates through August. Updates of Assembly Edition to version 8.91 are free to anyone that currently owns version 8.9. Upgrades and purchases are available online via www.darkroomsoftware.com/assembly.html.

AKVIS Software has released an update to AKVIS Enhancer, an image enhancement program that improves image detail, fixes dark, hazy, or out of focus photos, and can create HDR images. Version 10.0 introduces the new Smart Correction mode, which makes tone corrections in dark and light areas for a selected colour. The new mode is available in both the plug-in and the standalone versions of AKVIS Enhancer. In addition, Windows compatibilitiy has been improved and stability under Mac OS has been enhanced. The full version is available starting at $69, while upgrades for registered users are offered for $29 USD for any type of license.

Website: AKVIS Enhancer

Andreas Becherer Engineering today released version 5.6.1 of their media asset management solution CDWinder for Windows, which offers new features like integrated geotagging and video thumbnails, as well as improved performance and stability. “The cataloging of video thumbnails is a major step forward, a feature many of our customers have been asking about. And with the built-in 3D-geotagger we can now also create those amazing geotags with azimuth and tilt that we’ve been able to catalog and rave about for some time now.” said Andreas Becherer, chief developer of the CDWinder team. CDWinder for Windows works on Windows 2000 or higher and is tested on Vista and the upcoming Windows 7. There is also a version for Macintosh called CDFinder, available as Universal Binary for Power PC and Intel-Macs. A single user license is 29 Euro / 39 USD. Multiple licenses for business or network use are available.