ACD Systems International has launched the beta test version of ACDSee Pro 4. The company expects thousands of professional photographers to participate in the ACDSee Pro 4 beta period and provide feedback in the development process, similar to the 10,000 testers who helped shape the current version. Specifically, user feedback is needed on Metadata Working Group compliance, the workflow-accelerating tools,geotagging and map viewing features, vignette and chromatic aberration correction and so on. ACDSee Pro 4 beta testing is available at the website below.

Apple has introduced iLife ’11, a major upgrade that includes a whole new version of iPhoto. Apple iPhoto ’11 features new full screen modes as well as easier-than-ever photo sharing and slideshow creation. iMovie has also been updated to offer a set of new tools including selective audio level adjustment and sophisticated visual efffects. iLife ’11 - which includes both iPhoto and iMovie as well as GarageBand ‘11 - is available immediately for a suggested retail price of £45 including VAT.

Along with the release of DxO Optics Pro 6.5, DxO Labs will introduce an HDR plug-in that will enable photographers to blend several exposures effortlessly. This allows them to produce images that accurately reflect the luminosity range of a scene even if it exceeds the dynamic range of their sensor. Specially designed multi-shot HDR presets will let photographers render these new images effortlessly with a broad range of intents from the most natural looking image to extreme creative styles. Another use for this plug-in is that you can merge several raw files shot in a burst at the same exposure in order to get a clean (low-noise or noise free) image even when having to work at high ISO settings. DxO HDR plug-in for DxO Optics Pro 6.5 for Windows and Mac is scheduled for release late November 2010 from DxO Labs’ e-store. Final pricing is not available.

DxO Labs have announced that DxO Optics Pro 6.5 will be released in early November. This newest version of the program will include DxO Labs’ Single Shot HDR technology that promises to bring out the most from a single raw image file. Additionally, DxO Optics Pro 6.5 further reduces low frequency colour and luminance noise at any ISO setting. Support for raw files produced by the Canon EOS 60D, Powershot S95 and G12, Pentax K-x and Sony A290 has also been added. The Standard edition of DxO Optics Pro 6.5 will be available for €149 / $169 / £135, whereas the Elite edition will cost €299 / $299 / £269. All customers who purchased DxO Optics Pro since 1st June 2009 are entitled to a free upgrade to version 6.5.

Magix has released Movie Edit Pro 17 Classic, a video editing application featuring a Full HD workflow, and Movie Edit Pro 17 Plus, which is marketed as the world’s first consumer 3D video editing program. Movie Edit Pro 17 supportsr all conventional (H) DV camcorders, webcams and other video sources, burns video with interactive menus onto DVDs and Blu-ray discs, allows users to import videos directly from their iPhones and includes over 1,000 effects and fades to let videographers transform their movies into works of art. Movie Edit Pro 17 Plus allows users to edit their videos as usual in 2D, then turn theim into 3D movies. The Classic and Plus versions are available from Amazon and PC World for £59.99 and £79.99 respectively, including VAT.

A2Z Keywording, specialists in the practice of professional image keywording, today announced the launch of Keyword Perfect 2.0. Enabling photographers, stock photo agencies, archivists and other imaging professionals to tag their photo libraries using a comprehensive dictionary of searchable keywords, Keyword Perfect 2.0 imports digital images into its workspace and displays them in a convenient filmstrip pane. Users can then keyword each image by selecting any number of pre-defined and/or user-generated tags, representing not only the image’s physical contents, but also its less tangible elements such as photo style, concept, emotion and activity. Starting today, Keyword Perfect is available for purchase at a list price of $249.

Corner-A today announced PhotoStyler 4.5 for Mac OS X. Billed as “the easiest way to style digital photos with your Mac”, PhotoStyler 4.5 features an improved user interface based on customer feedback. System requirements include Mac OS X Version 10.5 or higher and Universal Binary for PowerPC and Intel, with a CoreImage compatible video card being strongly recommended. PhotoStyler 4.5 is available at a price of $30.

AKVIS has released a new program entitled AKVIS NatureArt. Described by its developers as “an excellent tool for imitating the magnificence of natural phenomena”, AKVIS NatureArt lets photographers choose from six nature effects including rain, water, lightning, clouds, fire and Sun. Available as a standalone program or as a plug-in to an image editor, AKVIS NatureArt costs €55 / $72 is also available as part of the Alchemy bundle.

Nik Software has just announced that its HDR Efex Pro plug-in is now available for download. The price is €159.95 including German VAT but owners of a registered NIk Software Complete Collection can get HDR Efex Pro at a special upgrade price of €79.95. Users who have purchased and registered their Complete Collection after 24 August 2010 will get HDR Efex Pro as a free update. The boxed version is scheduled to be on sale by the end of October.

Website: Nik Software

Panasonic has teamed up with Adobe and Going Digital to offer a photography gift pack worth £150, available with any purchase of a Panasonic GF1, G10 or G2 compact system camera. Included in the pack is Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 as well as Adobe Premiere Elements 9 software plus Going Digital, who offer a range of one-day photography workshops for beginners to more experienced photographers. The free training voucher can be used on any of their training workshops. The Photography Gift Pack will be available from 8th October – 31st January.

Human Monitoring (HM) has announced the global availability of its new hipix still image compression technology. Designed to answer the market needs from cameras to web applications and mobile phones. hipix enables users to send and store high-resolution images at between 15% and 50% of the size of normal compressed JPEGs. To view hipix images, on a computer or mobile, users must initially download a viewer, and to create or convert images to the hipix format users need the hipix “Wiz” application. Both are currently free to download for a limited time. You can view a video demonstration of hipix in action after the break.

WD has released WD Photos, the newest release of its free photo viewer app, which is now optimised for the iPad and the iPhone 4. The WD Photos app provides remote access to photos stored on a WD network hard drive including My Book World Edition, My Book Live and WD ShareSpace. The images are displayed in native iPad and iPhone resolution, and users can access up to 285,000 of their favourite photos anywhere they can access the Internet by simply copying their pictures into the “Shared Pictures” folder on their WD network hard drive.

PictoColor Software has released iCorrect OneClick 2.0 Photoshop Plug-in for Windows. The newest version of this point-and-click colour correction software offers full compatibility with Adobe Photoshop CS5 in both 32 and 64-bit Windows environments. iCorrect OneClick 2.0 may be purchased at PictoColor’s secure on-line store for $59.95 as a software download, and may be installed on two computers.

Beta testing of ACD Systems International’s ACDSee Pro Photo Manager for Mac is heading into its final phase with the introduction of non-destructive editing. Other notable additions to the beta 1.4 version include faster operation, an improved graphical user interface for Process mode, the ability to easily copy and paste processing settings from one image to another, support for XMP sidecar files and more. The program is now available for download at the website below.

An iPad/iPhone app named LightTrac 2.0, which helps photographers track the elevation and angle of Sun for any given date for any location on the planet, has been just released. Allowing photographers to plan their outdoor photo shoot ahead of time, the app is also useful as a location scout tool. The latest version of LightTrac also supports tracking the angle and elevation of Moon just like the Sun. Visimoon is yet another app that fully complements LightTrac by presenting you with a list of nights when Moon is visible at your location. LightTrac ver 2.0 is currently available for $4.99 as a limited time offer and Visimoon is available for $2.99.

Sigma has released Sigma Photo Pro 4.2 for Macintosh and Windows. The new version of the software adds support for raw files created by the Sigma DP1x large-sensor compact camera, and allows the preferred adjustment mode setting to be selected as default in the preference settings menu. Click through / scroll down for the download links.

Nevercenter has just released a new app called Infinicam for iOS devices. Like Nevercenter’s earlier app CameraBag, Infinicam applies high quality effects to photos, but instead of having a set number of pre-­defined camera styles, Infinicam offers an endless variety by generating new and unique randomised camera styles that combine a wide array of photographic effects borrowed from analogue cameras and film emulsions. Once a favourite “camera style” is found, it can be easily saved and named for instant access later. Infinicam is available now for $1.99 USD in the App Store.

Website: Infinicam

Nero has introduced two new high definition solutions: Nero Multimedia Suite 10 Platinum HD and Nero Video Premium HD. Nero Multimedia Suite 10 Platinum HD (£79.99) builds upon the robust, 3-in-1 multimedia management tools introduced earlier this year in Nero Multimedia Suite 10, which focused on video editing, burning and backup. The Platinum HD version introduces BD-Live 2.0 Blu-ray playback capabilities and new tools - including the Move It plug-in for easy media transfer and the Nero Creative Collection Pack 1 with new Picture-in-Picture effects - to help create, edit, burn, backup and share HD content. Nero Video Premium HD (£59.99) blends the powerful video editing capabilities of Nero Vision Xtra with myriad creative effects and Blu-ray playback to simplify the task of advanced video editing. Both products will be available starting on 14th October.

Photomatix Pro 4.0 is the latest version of the popular High Dynamic Range (HDR) processing software. Version 4 of Photomatix Pro principally adds a selective deghosting tool, preset thumbnails panel, high quality noise reduction and the ability to tone map a single image in 8 bits/channel mode. Photomatix Pro 4.0 costs $99. The upgrade from version 3 to version 4 is free of charge for registered users.

Tour Wrist is a new iOS app that immerses viewers.inside your photographed environments. As a user points their iDevice up, it acts as a window or portal, revealing skies in picturesque, distant cities. Turning around may reveal a resort’s courtyard or pool. And looking down stands to reveal a cobblestone street or beautifully restored hardwood floors. Tour Wrist 2.0 was released one month ago and is available free for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch.