Iridient Digital have released RAW Developer 1.8.3, an update to their raw image processing software for Mac OS X. This update includes support for the Olympus E-620, Canon SX1 IS, Casio EX-FH20, recent Hasselblad backs and RAW files converted by Phocus software. Other highlights include GPS metadata export, improvements to the default tone curves for the Nikon D3X and Sony DSLR-A900 and updates to the default Nikon white balance presets for many models. Irident RAW Developer requires MacOS X 10.4.10 or later and costs $125. The update is free for existing users.

Website: Iridient RAW Developer 1.8.3 Release Notes

Nik Software has released a Color Efex Pro 3.0 update for Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2.3 and higher. The update is free to current owners of Color Efex Pro 3.0. Currently the update is available for the Color Efex Pro 3.0 Complete Edition; the updates for the Select and Standard Edition will be available soon. Color Efex Pro 3.0 installs as a plug-in for Lightroom 2.3. Photographers using Lightroom can utilise Nik Software’s unique Color Efex Pro filters and take advantage of their U Point technology to selectively apply enhancements without the need for any complicated masks.

Imagenomic announced today the commercial release of Portraiture 2 for Aperture. Features of the new Apple Aperture plugin include Automatic Skin Tones Mask generation and “One-click” skin retouching through a new Preset Manager, Advanced Skin Masking controls for selecting, feathering and refining the retouching area, Enhancement Sliders and settings custom control, Non-destructive Editing and data integrity image preservation, Extended Output Options, and Batch Processing. The suggested retail price of Portraiture 2 for Aperture is $199.95, and a free trial version is available for download.

Adroit Photo Recovery is a new program that can reassemble digital photos you thought you had deleted. Nasir Memon, professor of computer science and engineering at Polytechnic Institute of NYU and co-founder of Digital Assembly LLC, has developed this piece of software to rescue fragmented image files, even from a formatted memory card, pendrive or HDD. Adroit Photo Recovery uses the trademarked SmartCarving technology that “looks at a deleted file as a giant jigsaw puzzle where each block of the file is a piece of the puzzle”. Currently, Adroit recovers photos stored either as JPEGs or PNGs, but future versions will add support for a number of raw image formats.

Adroit Photo Recovery costs $79.99, but there is currently a limited-time offer of $39.99. A free trial version is available for download.

Website: Digital Assembly

Nikon have released a new version of ViewNX, a file browser which ensures quick access to images for instant viewing. In version 1.3.0 of Nikon ViewNX, the Quick Adjustment palette is compatible with both NRW and NEF RAW images, and Google Maps can now be used with the GeoTag function, plus there are a larger number of more minor changes and improvements.

Website: Nikon ViewNX 1.3.0 (Windows)
Website: Nikon ViewNX 1.3.0 (MAC)

Nikon have released a new version of Nikon Transfer, a download utility which allows images to be simultaneously downloaded to two locations. Version 1.4.0 of Nikon Transfer includes 5 minor fixes and improvements.

Website: Nikon Transfer 1.4.0 (Windows)
Website: Nikon Transfer 1.4.0 (Mac)

Picmeta Systems have just released Picture Information Extractor (PIE) 5.0, an image browser and viewer with extensive metadata functionality. Version 5.0 of the software offers a number of improvements over its predecessor, including a reworked user interface, lossless rotation and cropping of JPEGs, metadata editing for some raw formats such as Adobe DNG, support for XMP and IPTC plus automatic creation of a folder structure when downloading photos.

The full version of Picture Information Extractor 5.0 costs $35, including lifetime free updates. A free evaluation version can be downloaded from the Picmeta Website. Supported operating systems include Windows 95,98,ME,2000,XP and Vista.

LaCie have just released LaCie Blue Eye Pro Proof Edition, a complete monitor calibration and profiling solution. Highlights of LaCie Blue Eye Pro Proof Edition include ensuring certified colours in a single click, UGRA soft proof-grade Test & Report function and switching between colorimetric environments without recalibrating. The suggested retail price of LaCie Blue Eye Pro Proof Edition is £269+VAT / $429.99.

Geo-tagging community website locr has released a plug-in for Aperture. The new plug-in simplifies uploading several photos or complete albums to locr. Photos can be placed into existing locr albums or put into a new album. Keywords and descriptions as well as previously added geo tags will be transferred directly to locr along with the photos. Locr for Aperture 1.0 is available for free download now.

PhotoFreebies 2 is a free collection of 12 Photoshop-compatible plugins for performing simple but useful photo adjustments and effects. PhotoFreebies 2 includes a new Color Blind plugin for simulating red/green color blindness, and is now available in a 64bit version. Available to download for free now, PhotoFreebies 2 is compatible with Windows only.

DxO Optics Pro 5.3.3 adds support for the Nikon D3x and Sony Alpha A900 DSLR cameras. 43 new DxO Optics Correction Modules for a variety of cameras have also been added. DxO Optics Pro 5.3.3 includes multiple improvements, including automatic reading of the focusing distance for Canon 5D Mark II images. DxO Optics Pro v5.3.3 and upgrades are available immediately for Mac and Windows. All customers who purchased DxO Optics Pro since August 1, 2007 are entitled to a free upgrade to version 5.3.3.

Flash Renamer is a batch renaming tool that’s currently being given away free. Normally Flash Renamer costs $20 to register, but to celebrate its 10th birthday, developer RL Vision are giving it away for free until the end of this week. This is the latest version (v6.2) - the only limitation is that it cannot be upgraded in the future.

Website: Flash Renamer Offer

HDR PhotoStudio offers advances in color modeling, color accuracy and image file compression for HDR images. With HDR PhotoStudio, photographers can easily merge and edit pictures taken at various exposures into a single, stunning HDR image. “Our application is backed by a unique color model based on human vision. The issue with just about every color model backing other imaging applications is that it is coupled with an obsolete technology, the CRT (cathode ray tube),” said Igor Tryndin, CTO of Unified Color. “Our color model is decoupled from any physical display device. Instead, we model visual information in terms of how the human eye sees it.” HDR PhotoStudio ‘s new BEF file format offers industry-leading file compression, so photographers get the most accurate color, full gamut, HDR images, all in a file comparable to the size of a JPEG. HDR PhotoStudio is available now for $129.99, and a 30 trial version is available.

Nik Software’s Viveza plug-in is now compatible with Lightroom 2. Viveza is the most powerful and precise tool available to control light and color in photographic images. The update is free to current owners of Viveza. Nik Software has also announced that all of its other photographic filter products are being updated to support Lightroom by the second quarter of 2009.

The final versions of Lightroom 2.3 and Camera Raw 5.3 are now available. Adobe Lightroom 2.3 and Camera Raw 5.3 provide raw file support for the Nikon D3X and Olympus E-30 cameras, and Lightroom 2.3 addresses several issues including a solution to a memory leak. Adobe Lightroom 2.3 and Camera Raw 5.3 are both available now as free updates for eligible customers.

Apple have just released the Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update 2.5 for Mac OS X 10.4.11 or Mac OS X 10.5.3 or later. This update extends RAW file compatibility for Aperture 2, iPhoto ‘08, and iPhoto ‘09 for the Nikon D3X and Epson R-D1x cameras. It also addresses issues related to specific cameras and overall stability.

Website: Apple Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update 2.5

GPS-Photo Link Express is a new consumer edition of GeoSpatial Experts’ photo-mapping software. “Anyone who knows how to use a digital camera and GPS receiver can learn how to use the GPS-Photo Link Express software in about 15 minutes,” said Rick Bobbitt, GeoSpatial Experts CEO. The software is compatible with any handheld GPS receiver and digital camera, including some cell phone cameras like the iPhone 3G. The Express Edition also works with the recently introduced models of GPS-enabled digital cameras from Ricoh and Nikon. GPS-Photo Link Express is available now for $149.

Shortcut Software will be showcasing SILKYPIX Pro at this week’s PMA show in Las Vegas. SILKYPIX Pro is a new RAW software program aimed at the advanced photographer. It is not a replacement for the already existing SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.0, but will be sold in parallel. SILKYPIX Pro will be available for purchase later this year (around summer time). Shortcut Software’s PMA Booth is # V245.

MAGIX has released a new set of freeware tools, including a photo editor and slideshow maker. MAGIX FunPix Maker can transform any photo with the help of hilarious effects, while MAGIX Slideshow Maker allows you to upload your photos to YouTube. MAGIX Xtreme Print Studio creates interesting covers for your discs. Music Maker for MySpace is the final free software application.

Extend the functionality of your Hasselblad camera system with new software and firmware versions. Phocus 1.1.3 for Mac and 1.0.2 for Windows adds full digital APO Correction for the HTS1.5. The Capture Info tool in Phocus has been extended with fields for HTS parameters, extension rings and converters. Support for ISO 800 on the H3DII-39 and ISO 1600 on the H3DII-31 is available via a new camera firmware update, plus full integration with H-series cameras and the HTS1.5.