Leica has released an iOS app that lets you wirelessly control the Leica T compact system camera. The program enables users to control captue settins; view the live view feed; trigger the camera; start and stop video recording; and view, delete, download and share images captured with the camera. The app is now available on iTunes.

AKVIS MultiBrush has been updated to Version 8.0. This release adds the options Color Sampling and Tolerance to the Eraser tool; a new Grain parameter to the Artistic Pencil; a Blend Mode to the settings of the Color Pencil, Clone Stamp and Color Brush tools; and support for a number of additional raw image formats. Registered users of the software can upgrade to the new version for free.

Cloud Preview by Cypress Innovations is a new iOS app for photographers looking to view raw image files stored on Dropbox. Designed to work seamlessly with Dropbox, CloudPreview works with all raw files supported by Apple, and supports most files generated by Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Sony, Panasonic, Pentax, Fujifilm and Leica cameras. For more information, visit the website below.

Phase One is going to host a free webinar for Capture One Pro users on Wednesday, 23rd April. In this webinar, David Grover will take participants through a typical photo editing scenario, importing directly from memory cards and through a full Capture One Pro Session workflow, finishing with multiple image output types and a web gallery. For more information and to register, visit the website below.

Cypress Innovations have released Cloud Studio, an iOS app developed for photographers looking to edit and share images stored on Dropbox. The program offers users the ability to alter saturation, gamma, brightness, contrast, hue, and vibrance. With Cloud Studio, you can view and edit curves and levels, and can crop, rotate, and sharpen images. The app gives users the option to re‐upload the altered image to Dropbox, save it in the camera roll, or share the photo via Facebook, Available in two versions, Cloud Studio and Cloud Studio HD, the software can be downloaded for $0.99.

Akvis have updated their ArtSuite application to version 10.5. This release adds a Share option that allows users to post pictures from the program to Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Tumblr and Google+; improves the Halftone effect; enables the saving of last used settings; and adds support for additional raw image file formats generated by various digital cameras. Registered users of ArtSuite can upgrade to the new version for free.

Google has added new features to the standard Android camera app. Currently available for devices running Android 4.4 Kitkat, Lens blur allows users to mimic shallow DOF and even to virtually "refocus" the photo after it's taken, quasi-Lytro style. "You can choose to make any object come into focus simply by tapping on it in the image," Google's Carlos Hernández writes in a blog post. "By changing the depth-of-field slider, you can simulate different aperture sizes, to achieve bokeh effects ranging from subtle to surreal... Instead of capturing a single photo, you move the camera in an upward sweep to capture a whole series of frames. From these photos, Lens Blur uses computer vision algorithms to create a 3D model of the world, estimating the depth (distance) to every point in the scene." The Google Camera app is available as a free download from the Google Play store.

ReaSoft has launched a new version of ReaConverter, its batch image conversion and editing program for Windows. New and improved features include 2x faster image processing, support for multi-threading, an entirely reworked user interface, built-in support for cloud storage, new editing options and graphic filters and advanced command-line processing. ReaConverter 7 is available in three edititons; Lite ($24.95), Standard ($49.95) and Pro ($99.95).

Datacolor's SpyderHD calibration suite is now available to purchase in the United States. Introduced a week ago in Europe, SpyderHD is a complete workflow solution including the Spyder4 ELITE HD integrated display calibration application, the innovative SpyderWEB (a universal mounting system that securely mounts the Spyder for calibration of most screens), the SpyderCHECK colour reference and gray card system and the portable SpyderCUBE (which provides white balance, exposure, black level and highlight references). The Datacolor SpyderHD package is available for $349.

Akvis has released Version 7.0 of Retoucher, an image restoration program for Mac and Windows. This update adds two new options, Flip Vertical and Flip Horizontal, to the Chameleon Brush; support for more raw file formats (standalone version); new shortcuts for workflow efficiency; and a few bug fixes. Registered users of the software can upgrade to version 7.0 at no charge.

Macphun has announced its partnership with MILK Tailor Made Books. The first Macphun product to integrate MILK print services is Focus 2, which provides photographers with selective focus, creative blur, tilt-shift and motion blur effects and more. By accessing a new “Order Prints” command in the software, users can now turn their images into fine-quality postcards, folded notecards, framed gallery prints or wrapped canvas prints. The update to Focus 2 (Mac App Store version) and Focus 2 Pro that contains MILK print services is available today, free of charge to current owners of the product. To get the update, select the “Updates” button in the Mac App Store or choose “Check for Updates” in the Focus 2 Pro menu of the Pro software.

Adobe has released final versions of Adobe DNG Converter 8.4 and ACR 8.4. These updates add support for the Canon EOS 1200D, Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II, Casio EX-100, Fujifilm X-T1, Hasselblad H5D-50C, Hasselblad HV, Nikon 1 V3, Nikon Coolpix P340, Nikon D3300, Nikon D4S, Olympus OM-D E-M10, Panasonic TZ60 / TZ61, Samsung NX mini, Samsung NX30, Sony A5000 and Sony A6000 cameras, the Phase One IQ250 digital back (pictured) and the DJI Phantom quadcopter; similarly to Lightroom 5.4. Additionally, ACR 8.4 brings support for a host of new lens profiles, implements changes to local corrections and updates to the Preview Controls, and fixes bugs. Camera Matching color profiles for more than a dozen Fujifilm cameras have also been added.

Source: Lightroom Journal

Adobe today announced the availability of Lightroom mobile for iPad, a companion app to Lightroom desktop software, only available as part of Adobe Creative Cloud. The app enables iPad owners to sync mobile edits, metadata and collection changes back to the Lightroom catalogue on a Mac or Windows PC, automatically import images captured on an iPad and sync back to a Lightroom catalogue on the desktop, work on images even when your iPad is offline and sync photos between Lightroom 5 and Lightroom mobile. "With the launch of Lightroom mobile, we’ve unlocked professional-class photographic workflows from the confines of the desktop,” said Winston Hendrickson, vice president products, Creative Media Solutions, Adobe. "Lightroom and Photoshop redefined digital photography on the desktop and now, photographers can perfect images, wherever they are and, via Creative Cloud, seamlessly synchronise them back to their desktop catalogue.”

Datacolor has announced SpyderHD, a new flagship colour calibration suite for photographers. Designed to colour manage photo workflows, from scene, camera and editing, to final output; SpyderHD includes the Spyder4 ELITE HD integrated display calibration application and the innovative SpyderWEB, a universal mounting system that securely mounts the Spyder for calibration of most screens. In addition to display calibration offerings, SpyderHD consists of two important camera solutions: the SpyderCHECK colour reference and gray card system and the portable SpyderCUBE, which provides white balance, exposure, black level and highlight references. SpyderHD is available immediately for £229.

Adobe has released an update to Lightroom 5. Version 5.4 adds compatibility with Lightroom mobile, fixes bugs, and adds support for the Canon EOS 1200D, Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II, Casio EX-100, Fujifilm X-T1, Hasselblad H5D-50C, Hasselblad HV (pictured), Nikon 1 V3, Nikon Coolpix P340, Nikon D3300, Nikon D4S, Olympus OM-D E-M10, Panasonic TZ60 / TZ61, Samsung NX mini, Samsung NX30, Sony A5000, Sony A6000, Phase One IQ250 digital back and the DJI Phantom quadcopter. You can download the update from the website below.

Website: Adobe

Phase One has announced a new free webinar focusing on tethered shooting with Capture One Pro. Svheduled for Wednesday, 9 April 2014, the session teaches participants about setting up a secure wireless connection for Capture One Pro and access its features. Phase One’s David Grover (pictured) will walk you through tethering and encourage your questions at two different times on the same day. To sign up, follow the link below.

Magix has released Xara Photo & Graphic Designer 9. New features include an advanced healing brush to remove blemishes with a single click, new masking and selection tools, 11 new photo effects and an advanced background erase function which enables you to extract complex shapes such a people or objects in the foreground and place them on alternate backgrounds. Xara Photo & Graphic Designer 9 is available £69.99.

The Society of International Nature and Wildlife Photographers have announced the winners of the ‘Weather” Photography Competition. The photo above - shot by Andrzej Bochenski, Poland - has been chosen as the winner for it’s well timed and excellently captured, "shocking realism" of the power of.nature. The runners-up are Craig Bill from Texas, and Ana Filipa from Lisbon.

Canon has announced a software upgrade for the EOS C500 digital cinema (pictured). The new Cinema RAW Development 1.3 software, currently under development, will deliver enhanced shooting workflows, including the on-set playback and confirmation of 4K raw video. Canon's software upgrade will support greater workflow efficiencies for 4K raw data by enabling real-time playback with playback speeds of up to 24 frames per second. The company will demonstrate a trial version of Cinema RAW Development 1.3 using an Intel Iris Pro graphics-powered PC at the NAB 2014 trade show, Central Hall Booth No. C-4325

ADVA Soft has released Handy Photo Free, a no-cost version of its all-in-one photo editing app for Android and iOS. Handy Photo Free presents a modified selection of the app’s features, enabling users to both apply a wide range of edits to their photos and test the effects of the standard edition’s full capabilities. These features include global and local tonal adjustments, eight photo filters, retouching, Move Me technology for smart objects extraction and moving, 100% size image editing, support for image resolutions of up to 12 megapixels. Handy Photo Free is available on iTunes and Google Play.