DxO Labs have released version 4.5.1 of DxO FilmPack and version 2.1.2 of DxO ViewPoint, a program dedicated to fixing problems with keystoning and volume anamorphosis. The FilmPack update improves operational stability, while the latest ViewPoint release adds two new DxO Optics Modules for automatic distortion correction.

Website: DxO Labs

Akvis has announced free updates to Akvis Retoucher, Multibrush and Coloriage. The latest versions offer a new sharing feature, support for more raw file formats, and other improvements. The programs run on Windows XP/Vista/Win7/Win 8 and on Mac OS X 10.4-10.9.

Arthur is a new photo portfolio app designed exclusively for iOS 7. "By using Flickr and 500px as the source of the photos, it’s very easy to integrate in your existing photo workflow," the developers say. "You don’t need to import all your photo sets, you choose which ones you want and Arthur will do the rest." Arthur is available on the iTunes App Store for $0.99 / £0.69 / €0,89.

Blackmagic Design has released DaVinci Resolve 10.1, which adds new editing and 3D stereoscopic features as well as support for Final Cut Pro X 10.1. This update adds innovative editing features that includes allowing users to preview and align multiple camera takes while editing, so they can quickly switch between takes to show their clients shot options live from the timeline. Editors can now copy individual clips in the editing timeline with drag-and-drop simplicity. Also featured in DaVinci Resolve 10.1 are XML import enhancements for both FCP X 10.1 and FCP 7 customers. Compound clips from FCP X 10.1 with separate A/V elements are now split into individual clips and imported FCP 7 XML’s include font properties and timeline markers. DaVinci Resolve 10.1 is available now for download free of charge for all existing DaVinci Resolve customers.

Appadana Development has released Version 4.0 of Polamatic, an iOS app promising to bring the Polaroid look "back to life on any Apple device." New features in Version 4.0 include 36 Polaroid inspired filters, 36 classic Polaroid borders, new text editing functions and an array of handwritten fonts. Polamatic for iOS version 4.0 is available on iTunes for $0.99.

Reallusion has launched FaceFilter3 Mac, the latest version of its photo retouching and beautification toolkit. The template-based system allows users to quickly and easily apply “extremely detailed and natural-looking” makeup styles for each specific facial feature, then customise and save them for future use. The ability to selectively morph and adjust individual facial features allows for precise facial enhancement and subtle changes in expression. Now FaceFilter3 is available for both Windows PC and Mac, in Standard version at $29.99 and PRO version at $149.95.

Adobe today unveiled new 3D printing capabilities in Photoshop CC. Available immediately, as part of a major update to Adobe Creative Cloud, the new 3D printing capabilities integrated in Photoshop CC enable Creative Cloud members to build, refine, preview, prepare and print 3D designs. “The new 3D print capabilities in Photoshop CC take the guess work out of printing 3D models for everyone,” said Winston Hendrickson, vice president products, Creative Media Solutions, Adobe. “Before today there was a gap between the content produced by 3D modeling tools and what 3D printers need in order to deliver high quality results. Now, by simply clicking ‘Print’ in Photoshop CC, creatives can bring 3D designs to the physical world.”

CyberLink today launched PhotoDirector 5 Deluxe, a program which integrates photo management, adjustment, editing and sharing functionalities. To satisfy the versatile needs of home and casual users, PhotoDirector 5 Deluxe is packed with various photo editing features from the PhotoDirector family, including content-aware removal, people beautifier tools, HDR exposure blending and photo presets. The software is available for $59.99.

DxO Labs have released version 9.1.2 of DxO Optics Pro. This update bring support for the Panasonic Lumix GM-1, the Nikon 1 AW1, and the Apple iPhone 5S, and benefits from the addition of 160 new DxO Optics Modules. The Standard and Elite editions of DxO Optics Pro v9.1.2 for Mac and Windows are now available in the DxO Labs online store (shop.dxo.com) and at photo resellers at a special discount price until the end of this month.

Via its Photoshop.com blog, Adobe has announced that its Photoshop Photography Programme has been extended until 28 February 2014, and is open to those who own Photoshop CS3-CS6. The company initially launched this programme in September as a limited-time offer, with photographers required to sign up before the end of 2013. The offer gives Adobe customers who own a perpetual Photoshop CS3-CS6 licence the opportunity to use both Photoshop CC and Lightroom 5 for $9.99 per month, and includes 20 gigabytes of online storage, access to Creative Cloud Learn's training resources, Behance ProSite, and ongoing upgrades and updates.

Website: Adobe Photoshop Photography Programme for CS3+ Customers

The free Tagaboom app is now available for iOS. Photos and animated GIFs can now be combined with sound effects, drawings and text. "Tagaboom captures the entire moment and makes it easy to share the ideas, sounds, and style that accompany each photo," the developers say. Tagaboom for iOS is now available on iTunes.

Over the next 8 days we’ll be revealing our favourite products from last year in our annual awards, looking back at the essential photography kit that helped to define 2013.

Kicking things off is the Software of the Year 2013 award, which goes to Zoner Photo Studio 16.

“Zoner Photo Studio 16 is a large program that will cover most of the problems and overcome most objections that a photographer from new starter to keen enthusiast will be able to throw at it.”

Read the Full Review

Congratulations to Zoner and Photo Studio 16!

The critically acclaimed LightTrac app is now available for all Windows 8 PCs and tablets. The app, which has been available for Android and iOS for quite some time now, helps photographers and filmmakers plan their photo-shoot at the comfort of their home even before visiting an outdoor location. By allowing the user to visually track the elevation and angle of Sun at any time for any place, the user is able to get a sense of the direction and mood of the light at a certain time. This information is presented on top of a satellite map so users can visually explore the nature of light at various times. This saves the photographer from making a round trip to the photo location at the wrong time of day. LightTrac for Windows 8 is available for a 7-day free trial from the Windows store. The full version costs $4.99.

iWatermark Pro is the first Pro version of iWatermark for Windows. A specialised tool to watermark photographs, iWatermark Pro works with Lightroom, Photoshop, Picasa, ACDSee, iPhoto and Aperture; offers batch/sequential processing; supports multi-threaded multiple CPU/GPUs; allows users to add, remove and edit metadata; and much more. iWatermark Pro for Windows is available for $30.

Apple has released a new Digital Camera Raw compatibility update. Version 5.02 adds support for the following cameras: Nikon D5300, Nikon Df, Olympus OM-D E-M1 (pictured), Sony Alpha 7 and Alpha 7R. 

Website: Apple Support

Bazaart 2.0 is an iOS app which allows users to create composite images from photos on mobile devices. “The new Bazaart is a game changer.” said Stas Goferman, co-founder and CEO of Bazaart. “Up until now, people who wanted to get creative with their photos and make elaborate edits could not always accomplish it because it was only possible with expensive professional software like Photoshop. We aim to change that. With the new free Bazaart app people can make anything from photos, whenever they want to, and wherever they are. Our hope is that what Instagram did for photography, Bazaart will do for photoshopping.”  Bazaart 2.0 is available as a free download from the iTunes App Store.

Interealtime have launched Light Boost, an iOS app promising "brighter, clearer photos and videos in low light." There are three low-light exposure modes on offer. Light Mode, which "instantly boosts brightness while preserving image clarity," Night Mode, which enables long exposure times and Grain Reduction Mode, which uses a noise filtering algorithm to produce cleaner images. Other key features include live shutter speed and sensitivity display and separate locking of exposure, focus and white balance.Light Boost is currently available at a 50% discount on the iTunes App Store.

DxO Labs have launched version 9.1.1 of DxO Optics Pro. This update adds support for the Nikon Df (Elite Edition), the Sony Alpha 7 (Elite Edition), as well as for the Sony DSC-RX10 and A3000, the Pentax K-3, and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1. Additionally, DxO Optics Pro v9.1.1 benefits from the addition of 580 new DxO Optics Modules. Photographers who acquired a DxO Optics Pro 8 licence on or after 1 September 2013 are entitled to a free upgrade to version 9.

Photodex has announced version 6 of its award-winning ProShow Gold and ProShow Producer applications. New in ProShow 6 is a suite of advanced creative tools that give users more control over the look and sound of their slideshows. These include new advanced audio controls, completely overhauled captions, text layers and a new iOS companion app called ProShow Remote. Users can also import photos and videos directly from Facebook, Instagram, Zenfolio and Picasa, directly into a new slideshow. ProShow 6 is available now for $69.95 (ProShow Gold) and $249.95 (ProShow Producer) from the website below.

Apple has released an update to iPhoto. Version 9.5.1 fixes a bug that could cause print previews to render incorrectly, and includes a number of stability and performance improvements. The upgrade is available now on the Mac App Store.