Apple's new iPad Pro will become available to order online on Wednesday, 11th November. Featuring a 12.9" Retina display with 5.6 million pixels, the new tablet comes with a powerful new 64-bit A9X processor, while still offering up to 10 hours of battery life. An optional accessory called the Apple Pencil - also available from Wednesday -allows for extremely precise photo editing when used in tandem with the new Photoshop Fix app. Running on iOS9, the new iPad Pro features an 8-megapixel iSight camera, and can be paired with Apple’s new Smart Keyboard for increased productivity. The iPad Pro starts at £679/$799 for the 32GB with Wi-Fi model and £899/$1,079 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular 128GB model.

Macphun and Trey Ratcliff have announced the launch of their codeveloped photo editing software, Aurora HDR. "Aurora HDR is like no software I've ever used and I think it's gonna blow people's minds,” commented Trey. "Over the past 10 years I've been trying to find the ultimate HDR software, and it wasn't until Macphun came along in this amazing partnership that I was able to finally build my own." Available for Mac OS only, Aurora HDR will launch worldwide via the Mac App Store at an introductory price of $39.99. Aurora HDR Pro will be available at a discounted price of $89.99. Both versions of the program will be available from 19th November.

Lytro Immerge is the world’s first professional Light Field powered virtual reality rig. The product captures Light Field Volume – all the data from all directions at any location within a given volume – allowing virtual views to be generated from any point, facing any direction, with any field of view. Built from the ground up to seamlessly blend live action and computer graphics, it features configurable capture and playback options. “VR is the next wave in cinematic content, and immersive storytellers have been seeking technology that allows them to fully realize their creative vision,” said Jason Rosenthal, CEO of Lytro. “We believe the power of Light Field will help VR creators deliver on the promise of this new medium.” For more information, visit the website below.

Iridient Digital has released Iridient Developer 3.0.6 for Mac OS X. This update adds support for the Canon EOS M10, PowerShot G5 X and PowerShot G9 X, the Sony DSC-RX1R II and the Leica SL (Typ 601) cameras. Additionally, this release fixes several bugs including a crash on load with some DNG images converted automatically on import by recent versions of Adobe Lightroom, an issue with clipped highlight handling for some DNG images that use gain map opcodes and sporadic issues with serial number validation. This update is free for all previously registered users who purchased a new or upgraded license after 14 April 2013.

The Fujifilm Student Awards 2016 are now open for entries. Submissions are invited from all UK students, not just those undertaking courses involving photography. All images must be taken on Fujifilm film and submitted via the website below. Entry is free and students can enter as many photographs as they wish. The closing date for the competition is 31 March 2016.

Hasselblad and DJI today announced a corporate partnership through DJI's acquisition of a strategic minority stake in Hasselblad. "We are honoured to be partnering with DJI, the clear technology and market leader in its segment," said Perry Oosting, Hasselblad's CEO. "DJI and Hasselblad are equally enthusiastic about creativity and excellence, and we are looking forward to sharing technical expertise and paving the way for future innovations." Hasselblad and DJI will each focus on their individual strategic directions and related growth opportunities, with marketing and branding platforms continuing to delineate the two companies. Hasselblad cameras and equipment will continue to be handmade in Sweden, and DJI will continue to make products in Shenzhen, China.

Issue 46 of David Noton’s Chasing the Light Online Magazine is now available. In this month's Behind the Lens feature and accompanying Video Blog, David takes readers to the Alto Adige region of the Dolomites where he discovers the region’s photographic, and culinary, delights. In How It’s Done, he sheds further light on the important subject of location searching, while in the final instalment of his Bizz mini series, he sounds out the opinion of colleagues within the photo industry for their take on the state of stock photography. In Hoddinott’s Hangout, Ross Hoddinott takes a practical look at achieving impactful shots through a simple composition, primarily by manipulating backgrounds. Then in Sense of Space, Jeremy Horner goes island hopping around the Mediterranean on a short timescale and low budget. And in this edition’s Guest Feature, professional travel photographer Sean Caffrey presents a travelogue around the religious centres of Ethiopia. Do note that the full contents of Chasing the Light Online Magazine is available to full f11 subscribers only. Non-members can purchase individual issues of the magazine at a price of £4.20.

Sony will release a firmware update for their A7 II cameras on 18th November, adding uncompressed 14-bit raw image capture and activating the 117-point focal-plane phase-detection autofocus sensor on the camera for A-mount and third-party AF lenses. In addition to these feature upgrades, the MOVIE button can now be assigned to a custom button. The new firmware, version 2.0, will be available for download through Sony’s e-support website.

The Sony A68 A-mount camera features Sony’s unique 4D FOCUS system that delivers extraordinary AF performance under any shooting conditions, even in lighting as low as EV-2. The A68's AF system has 79 autofocus detection points including 15 cross points and a dedicated F2.8 AF sensor point for dimly-lit scenes. Other key features include a 24MP APS-C Exmor CMOS image sensor, ISO 100-25600, BIONZ X image processor, Full HD movies in the XAVC Sv format, OLED Tru-Finder with 100% frame coverage, a 2.7-type LCD monitor that  tilts up to 135 degrees upwards or 55 degrees downwards, and in-body image stabilisation. The price and availability of the new Sony A68 are still to be announced.

Inventor Thomas Larson has launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for a highly portable stick-on macro lens for cell phones. Available in two versions, offering 4x and 8x magnification, the MPL Macro conversion lens comes in a convenient coin-sized case, and enables users to take compelling close-up shots with their smartphone's built-in camera. Compatible with nearly all phones and tablets, the universal MPL Macro lens attaches to your smart device without any adhesives. "This is a project I started as an undergrad two years ago, and have been able to finance solely through crowdfunding and direct sales (no investors or grants)," Thomas says. "I use the extra funds from crowdfunding and sales to work on less commercially viable mobile microscopes that I hope will have an impact on education and world health." Interested readers are encouraged to pay a visit to the project's Kickstarter page.

Kodak Alaris has introduced a canvas texture photographic paper which enables pro labs to produce luxurious prints with a canvas look and feel. Additionally, the new Kodak Professional Endura Premier Canvas Paper can also be used to create enlargements, photo gifts and a classic surface for books. The emulsion used for the canvas paper creates accurate and natural looking skin tones and increases the colour gamut for stronger, brighter and more vibrant colours including clean whites and rich blacks.“We continually strive to create new products in response to user demand. With the growing trend of wall art and photo books, we saw an opportunity to offer a canvas texture paper which combines the premium quality of silver halide paper, but looks like canvas,” said Lee Palmer, General Manager & Vice President Kodak Alaris Imaging-Consumer, EAMER. “Kodak Professional Endura Premier Canvas Paper has received a very positive response from a number of customers who are highlighting it as part of their new product catalogue.”