Version 3 of the Firefox web browser now supports colour management for photos with embedded ICC profiles. Unfortunately, as Rob Galbraith points out, it’s not turned on by default, so check out Rob’s article below for details of how to enable it. Apple’s Safari web browser also supports ICC colour management.

Website: Download Firefox 3

Website: Rob Galbraith - Firefox 3, released today, supports colour managed web browsing

Paragon Drive Backup 9.0 offers a new approach to file-level backup along with a powerful system restore functionality. Available in Personal and Professional Editions, Paragon Drive Backup 9 utilizes a file-level protection system that allows the product to backup open and “in-use” files. “Drive Back up 9 users can rest assured that, in the event of a system crash, they will always have the ability to restore their PCs to their original, problem-free state, in one of many recovery environments.” commented Konstantin Komarov, CEO of Paragon Software. Paragon Drive Backup 9.0 costs £15.95 for the Personal version and £39.95 for the Professional version.

ACDSee Photo Editor 2008 is an easy-to-use digital design and layout software application. New features include faster processing times, more custom creative tools and options for resizing, cropping and masking. “ACDSee Photo Editor 2008 has all the tools, inspiration and clear instruction users need to turn digital photos into truly captivating keepsakes.” said Mark Franklin, executive vice president for ACD Systems. ACDSee Photo Editor 2008 is available for a free 30-day trial and for purchase for $49.99.

AKVIS SmartMask 2 is an efficient masking tool that saves you time on complex selections. Version 2 features a new selection tool that effectively replaces popular selection tools such as lasso, quick mask and selection brush with three unique selection modes, Sharp, Soft, and Complex. It also makes selection easier with the introduction of keyboard hot-keys and pop-up hints. AKVIS SmartMask 2 costs $120 / €90. A 10 day trial version is available.

DxO Optics Pro v5.1 is now available for both Windows and Mac platforms. Version 5.1 offers considerable improvements in stability and extra features, including a more flexible Pace Interlok protection that doesn’t require installation of an Interlok driver. DxO Optics 5.1 also now supports 3 new cameras and 35 new DxO Modules, including the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi/450D and Nikon D60. In addition, to celebrate DxO Optics Pro’s 4th birthday, and the arrival of version 5.1, all customers purchasing an upgrade to DxO Optics Pro v5.1 and activating it before 1st July 2008 will receive DxO Film Pack for free.

MAGIX Xtreme Photo & Graphic Designer 2 provides image editing, graphics and website creation in a single unified program. New features include non-destructive real-time image editing, one-click montages of panorama images, beautify faces and add facial expressions, and optimization and editing of RAW images. MAGIX Xtreme Photo & Graphic Designer 2 will be available from June 9th for £39.99.

Capture NX2 is a more powerful and easier to use updated version of Nikon’s image-editing software. Nikon Capture NX2 now offers Selection Control Point, enabling users to apply enhancements such as Unsharp Mask and D-Lighting to a specific area. The Auto Retouch Brush mouse strokes to clear away specks caused by dust on the sensor. Capture NX2 is compatible with both Windows Vista and XP and Macintosh OS X and will be available from 20th June 2008 for €199. Owners of previous versions of Capture NX can upgrade to Capture NX2 for €119.

Pinnacle Studio 12 is a new version of the market-leading consumer video editing software. Version 12 includes Pinnacle Montage, an innovative tool that makes high-end compositing and animation effects accessible to consumers. More titles, DVD menus and templates have been added to Pinnacle Studio 12, as well as new professional audio and video controls and a complete HD workflow with Blu-ray authoring. The Pinnacle Studio 12 family includes Pinnacle Studio, Pinnacle Studio Plus and Pinnacle Studio Ultimate with full HD support. Prices are US$49.99, $99.99 and $129.99, respectively.

Photo Recovery Software v3.0 from Stellar Phoenix recovers digital photos from all external storage devices. Images lost due to accidental deletion or formatting of the media can be recovered using Photo Recovery Software v3.0, which supports a wide variety of RAW file formats as well as Jpeg, Tiff, BMP, GIF and PNG files. Photo Recovery Software 3 is available now for MAC and Windows and costs $39 / €31 + VAT.

Phocus 1.0 from Hasselblad is a new generation of raw processor and camera control software. The aim of Phocus is to achieve absolute image perfection from the world’s largest raw image files. Phocus 1.0 for Mac is available now for download for registered users. A Phocus version for Windows is expected in Q3 of 2008.

Kodak has updated its Easyshare Software to version 7, which now offers tagging and star-ratings. Kodak EasyShare Software v7.0 allows you to give your pictures tags, star ratings and captions, transfer all your tags to sites like Flickr, or Microsoft and Adobe programs, and keep track of all your photos quickly and easily. Kodak EasyShare Software v7.0 is available now as a free download.

Website: Kodak EasyShare Software v7.0

Image Keyworder now includes a customized ‘Alamy Mode’ for users submitting images to the UK-based photo agency Alamy. Contributors can work on batches of images, speeding up the workflow for getting their images online. Image Keyworder comes bundled with a thesaurus comprising over 40,000 terms, including synonyms, alternate forms, spelling variations and singulars and plurals. An Image Keyworder license for two computers costs just US$79.99 including a 12-month thesaurus subscription valued at US$39.99.

The Mac OS X 10.5.3 update released yesterday has added RAW file support for the following cameras:

Hasselblad CFV-16, Hasselblad H3D-31, Hasselblad H3D-31II, Leaf Aptus 54S, Leaf Aptus 65S, Nikon D60, Olympus E-3, Pentax *ist DL2, Pentax *ist DS2, Pentax K100D Super, Sony DSLR-A200 and the Sony DSLR-A350

Mac OS X 10.5.3 also addresses compatibility issues with Aperture 2 and the Time Machine backup feature.

Website: Mac OS X 10.5.3 Update

Apple have just released the Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update 2.1 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 XSi/Kiss Digital x2/450D, Epson R-D1, Leaf AFi 7, Leaf AFi 6, Leaf AFi 5, Pentax K200D and the Pentax K20D

Website: Apple Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update 2.1

Seefile 4.5 is the latest digital asset management software from SeeFile Software. SeeFile runs as webserver software on any OSX Mac, replacing FTP servers with a web interface. “My customers are able to review and download proofs if I allow them to, upload their own graphical files to the same folders, and communicate approvals with a click. It’s a phenomenal way to handle a range of client communication issues…” commented Igor Perchuk, president of Image Source Productions. SeeFile 4.5 is priced from 499 to 5,495 Euro, depending on the number of user licenses.

Nikon have released a new version of ViewNX, a file browser which ensures quick access to images for instant viewing. Version 1.1.0 of Nikon ViewNX includes support for Windows Vista SP1 and Mac OS Leopard. Also configuration of the Navigation Palette has been changed to consist of Folders, Metadata, and Quick Adjustment palettes.

Website: Nikon ViewNX 1.1.0 (Windows)
Website: Nikon ViewNX 1.1.0 (MAC)

Nikon have released a new version of Nikon Transfer, a download utility which allows images to be simultaneously downloaded to two locations. Version 1.1.0 of Nikon Transfer includes support for Windows Vista SP1 and Mac OS Leopard.

Website: Nikon Transfer 1.1.0 (Windows)
Website: Nikon Transfer 1.1.0 (MAC)

Epson has introduced a new print plug-in for Adobe Photoshop, available now as a free web download. The Epson print plugin splits the printing workflow into three steps; image selection, layout selection/definition and printer settings and previewing. Mark Robinson, Senior Product Manager at Epson UK commented: “The new Epson plug-in provides an invaluable tool for the keen photographer, allowing them to increase their efficiency when printing a wide variety of projects.” The Epson print plug-in supports the Epson Stylus Photo 1400, R1800, R1900, R2400, R2880 and Stylus Pro 3800 printers.

You can now get 20% off Filter Forge, a high-end plugin for Adobe Photoshop which allows you to build your own filters. The key features of Filter Forge include a visual filter editor and a free online library of user-created filters which currently contains over 4500 textures and effects. The 20% discount is available now and is applicable to all 3 editions of Filter Forge.

recolorST and recolorLE are two new Photoshop plugins for selectively modifying and adjusting the color contrast of an image. recolorST can be used for so different tasks as color equalization, color enhancement or the removal of color stains and bleaches. recolorST blends or replaces the colors of the edited region with those of a chosen color scale palette. recolorST is priced at EUR 24, and recolorLE is distributed as unrestricted freeware.