Microsoft have released the second version of Pro Photo Tools, a set of tools for photographers to perform various tasks with their images. The highlights of Microsoft Pro Photo Tools 2 include:

- Support for reading and writing metadata to/from XMP side cars so that metadata will interoperate with Adobe products. This is in addition to reading and writing from the file.
- Users can convert from RAW to JPEG, TIFF, and HD Photo using “As Shot” settings. This includes the ability to resize the image.
- Users can view actual RAW image in addition to thumbnails
- Support for 64-bit Windows
- Support for international locales
- Improved UI for geotagging your photos

Website: Download Microsoft Pro Photo Tools 2

The Complete Collection includes all of the latest versions of Nik Software’s products available at a discounted price of $599, a saving of $450 if purchased separately. All products now include Nik’s patented U Point technology for precise control of selective editing functions. “The Complete Collection offers photographers an opportunity to buy all Nik Software products at substantial savings,” said Michael J. Slater president and CEO of Nik Software. “And with U Point technology fully integrated into all of our plug-in products, photographers can do even more with their images and have complete selective control within all Nik products,” Slater concluded. Each of the software products in the bundle installs as a plug-in filter for either Adobe Photoshop or Apple Aperture 2.1.

Capture One 4 Pro allows photographers to enhance and develop RAW digital files with excellent color and detail reproduction. New features include lens enhancement tools, Skin Tone tool, and a redesigned Styles feature. Capture One Pro customers can upgrade to Capture One 4 Pro at no extra cost. For new customers, it is 399 USD and 299 EUR. Phase One have also unveiled a new lineup of high-quality lenses, including 28mm f4.5, 45mm f2.8, 80mm f2.8, 120mm f4.0, 150mm f2.8, and a 75-150mm f4.5 zoom. A new 80mm leafshutter lens, vertical grip, and additional accessories for the Phase One 645 camera system will be available in Spring 2009.

Adobe Photoshop CS4, the professional industry standard for digital imaging, has been announced this morning. Photoshop CS4 leverages the power of the latest hardware to extend imaging possibilities and offer faster, more flexible ways to accomplish core tasks like image adjustments and masks. Content?Aware Scaling adds a revolutionary technology that enables users to intelligently size and scale images with a simple drag of the mouse. New Auto?Align and Auto?Blend modes generate composites based on extended depth of field and 360 degree panoramas now with seamless tones and colors. Adobe Bridge CS4 features faster start?up performance and speedier transfer of images to Photoshop CS4. Photoshop CS4 Extended includes all the new features of Photoshop CS4 plus the ability to paint directly on 3D models and surfaces, merge 2D files onto 3D images and animate 3D objects. Estimated street price for Adobe Photoshop CS4 is £485 and £755 for Photoshop CS4 Extended.

We have an in-depth review of all the key features new to Adobe Photoshop CS4.

Leica have released a new firmware update, v2.000, for the M8 camera. It adds support for SDHC cards up to 32GB capacity, and a new “AUTO-ISO” function with setting options for maximum ISO values and the slowest shutter speed.

Website: Leica M8 Firmware Update v2.000

Adobe have just released Photoshop Lightroom 2.1. This release candidate version for Mac and PC adds support for 4 digital cameras, including the Nikon D700 and Nikon D90, and fixes quite a lot of bugs.

Website: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2.1

Wacom has unleashed a range of software tools designed to enhance the Bamboo consumer pen tablet. Bamboo Scribe is a handwriting recognition application that converts handwritten notes into digital text. Bamboo Link is a new type of search tool, and Bamboo Space is for collecting and sharing ideas.Bamboo Dock acts as a gateway to the new applications as well as an increasing set of Bamboo Minis, small applications offering a variety of solutions. Bamboo Minis, Bamboo Dock and Bamboo Space are available to download now. From 16th September 2008, Bamboo Link and Bamboo Scribe will be included in all products of the Bamboo range.

Nikon have released a new version, 2.1.0, of Capture NX 2. Version 2.1.0 includes support for RAW images captured with the D90.

Website: Nikon Capture NX 2 Version 2.1.0 (Windows)
Website: Nikon Capture NX 2 Version 2.1.0 (Mac)

Apple have just released the Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update 2.2 for Mac OS X 10.4.11 and OS X 10.5.2. This update extends RAW file compatibility for Aperture 2 and iPhoto ’08 for the following cameras:

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS/Kiss Digital F/1000D; Kodak DCS Pro SLR/n; Nikon D700; Olympus EVOLT E-420; Olympus EVOLT E-520; Olympus SP-570; Samsung GX-10; Samsung GX-20; Sony DSLR-A300; Sony DSC-R1

Website: Apple Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update 2.2

Adobe have released the release candidate versions of Camera Raw 4.6 and DNG Converter 4.6 for both Windows and Mac platforms. Version 4.6 includes the following changes:

- Newly supported camera models include:
  * Fuji Finepix IS Pro
  * Nikon D700
  * Nikon D90
  * Nikon Coolpix P6000

Website: Adobe Camera Raw 4.6 (Windows)
Website: Adobe Camera Raw 4.6 (Mac)

ProShow Producer 3.5 adds Blu-ray output to this professional slide show software. ProShow Producer 3.5 provides photographers with a complete solution for outputting high definition Blu-ray slide shows from start to finish. No special conversions or formatting is required - photographers simply create a slide show and output directly to Blu-ray. ProShow Producer 3.5 also has built-in features that archive show files directly to Blu-ray providing a safe and secure method of storing important files. ProShow Producer 3.5 is available now for $249.95.

Bibble 5 will be officially launched at Photokina next week. The latest version of this RAW conversion software includes improved performance (up to twice as fast as Bibble 4), complete non-destructive selective editing including multiple layers, and an advanced and fast Digital Asset Management system. Bibble 5 Pro will be available in Q4 of 2008 at an initial price of $199.95, and will continue to be offered for Windows, Mac OSX, and Linux. Customers who purchase Bibble 4 now will receive a free upgrade to Bibble 5 when it is available.

ACDSee Pro 2.5 is a major update designed to improve digital asset management and workflow. New features include completing digital asset management as photos are imported, embedding custom metadata such as categories and ratings, improved Auto Slide Show, and adding borders, drop shadows and edge effects to images. ACDSee Pro 2.5 is available for a free 30-day trial and for purchase for $129.99 (USD). ACDSee Pro 2 users are eligible for a free upgrade to this new version.

Adobe have previewed Photoshop CS4 at the Photoshop World show in Las Vegas. Adobe’s Terry White has kindly provided a video of the presentation for everyone who couldn’t be there, which includes a look at Photoshop CS4’s new interface and features, plus a glimpse at what Adobe has planned beyond CS4. Adobe Creative Suite 4 will be officially launched on 23rd September.

Website: Adobe Photoshop World Keynote ‘08

Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 Ultimate Edition features increased raw camera support and new creative content. The latest version of this popular graphics program now supports more than 250 raw camera formats, and also adds150 brand-new, custom-made photo frames, photo edges and Picture Tubes. Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 Ultimate is also now fully certified for Windows Vista. With a suggested retail price of £79, Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 Ultimate is available starting today. Registered users of Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 can purchase the Ultimate Update Kit for £34.

iLovePhotos is free desktop software for Macs that uses facial detection to manage your digital photos. As users import pictures, the software automatically detects the faces of the individuals in each picture. This allows users to easily filter their library to show only photos of specific people. The iLovePhotos Mac software can both complement and synchronize with iPhoto or act as a standalone photo manager. iLovePhotos can also create intelligent personalized slideshows based on how often people appear in photos, who they appear next to most frequently, and many other attributes.

Picasa 3 is free desktop software for Windows that helps you organize, print, and creatively edit your photos. New features in Picasa 3 include a drag-and-drop photo-collage tool, retouching brush, slideshow movie maker, auto red-eye removal, smart auto-cropping, and a photo viewer integrated into Windows. Picasa 3.0 is available for free download at http://picasa.google.com/ . Google have also updated Picasa Web Albums, its free online photo-sharing site.

Sharpener Pro 3 now features Nik Software’s patented U Point technology for selectively sharpening objects. U Point powered Control Points are easy to use and offer precise control over sharpening intensity without the need to create complicated selections and layer masks. Other new features in Sharpener Pro 3 include creative sharpening tools, soft-proofing and compatibility with Adobe Photoshop’s Smart Objects. Sharpener Pro 3.0 will be available in September for $199.95.

PhotoFrame 4 from onOne Software now supports Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2. PhotoFrame 4 adds details to photos like unique edge effects, frames, borders, adornments and texture overlays. PhotoFrame 4 delivers hundreds of new frames, including exclusive content from professional wedding photographers Kevin Kubota and Vicki Taufer. Other new features include a new easy-to-use frame library with new library management options, updated user-interface, cutting-edge new content, and new output options for added user control. PhotoFrame 4 comes in two variations – a Professional Edition and a Standard Edition and are available for $259.95 and $159.95 respectively.

Akvis Enhancer 9.5 image enhancement software helps you improve the detail in your photos. The latest version now supports EXIF data, ensuring that the additional camera information does not get lost or altered. Akvis Enhancer 9.5 is available either as a standalone application or a plug-in to a photo editor. AKVIS Enhancer Plugin costs $69 USD, and Enhancer Standalone with HDRI support costs $81.