Users of Aviary's Photo Editor for iOS app have until tomorrow, 6th  January, to download the company's entire collection of photo editing supplies - valued at $200 - free of charge. The add-ons will be yours forever, and you can even sync them to Adobe's Creative Cloud, and restore them anytime. To take advantage of the offer, all you need to do is sign in with your Adobe ID - or create one in the first place - directly from the app.

Software developer Kolor has just launched Kolor Eyes, a web platform for viewing, sharing and hosting 360-degree videos. The platform was designed around three major concepts; quality, multiple players and community. Visitors can easily "like" and share the videos on social networks or embed them on their websites or blogs. The hosting service is currently provided for free. Paid plans offering professional features will be offered soon.

To celebrate the release of the Fujifilm X-T1 Graphite Silver edition (read review), Fujifilm and Globe-Trotter have joined forces to create an exclusive mirrorless camera kit. Handcrafted at the Globe-Trotter workshop in Hertfordshire, England, each bespoke, 21’’ Trolley Case features a Fujifilm X-T1 camera body in Graphite Silver, a range of hand-picked Fujinon optics, dedicated accessories and an engraved Apple iPad Air 2 16GB. The set also includes a unique handmade Day Bag, featuring leather straps, plush internal dividers to protect the X-T1 and its accompanying lenses, beautifully embossed with the iconic Globe-Trotter logo. The limited edition run of 10 handmade travel cases is available exclusively at Harrods from Saturday 20th December 2014.

Sigma UK have announced the UK availability of the LCD Viewfinder LVF-01, which has been developed as a dedicated attachment for the dp Quattro camera series. By attaching it to the dp Quattro camera’s LCD display, the LCD Viewfinder cuts off outside light and magnifies the LCD display by 2.5 times to allow photographers to check the live view feed for critical focus more easily. Similar to using a viewfinder of a DSLR, holding the viewfinder to your eye allows more stable handling, thus reducing camera shake, and enables the photographer to see more detail in the image.  The Sigma LCD Viewfinder LVF-01 will be available in the UK from January 2015 with a suggested retail price of £179.99.

Samsung has unveiled its highest storage capacity for its EVO MicroSD memory cards. Boasting Ultra High Speed (UHS-I) Class 10, Grade 1 level performance, the new EVO 128GB MicroSD card offers read speeds of up to 48MB/s, can survive up to 20 hours in sea water, endures operating temperatures from -25 – 85 °C, can resist over 10,000 gauss, and is also protected from damage caused by airport X-ray machines. The new Samsung EVO 128GB card is available for £92.99 (£93.99 with an SD card adapter that allows it to be used in digital cameras).

To show how your smartphone can be used as a tool to photograph the pre-Christmas festivities, photographer Mike Buck took a series of photos on the Sony DSC-QX30 Lens-Style Camera at various locations in East London including the new Winterville festive experience in Victoria Park. The images depict various subjects ranging from the fairground stalls and their owners to the bright neon of the Waltzers and Ferris Wheel, as well as some extreme close ups of crackling winter fires. Click through / scroll down for the gallery.

Phase One has started shipping the first A-series medium format camera systems. "Blending the best of Phase One and ALPA technology through highly-integrated precision components, these cameras are designed to capture outstanding images with greater ease, convenience, and fun," the company said in a statement. The three Phase One A-series models include the A250, A260 and A280. They are based on the ALPA 12TC camera body, plus a Phase One medium format IQ2 A-series digital back -- the 50 megapixel CMOS-based IQ250; the long-exposure-capable 60 megapixel IQ260; or the highest-resolution 80 megapixel IQ280. Each model comes with the 4.0/35mm Rodenstock Alpar lens. There are two optional lenses available, including the ultra-wide 23mm, and the all-round 70mm, ALPA HR Alpagon. The three A-series Rodenstock Alpagon/Alpar lens profiles are factory calibrated, so photographers simply select the lens used and corrections are then automatically processed in camera and when importing to Capture One Pro 8.1. Photographs taken with the new A-series cameras can be wirelessly transmitted to an iPad or iPhone to check for critical focus. The Phase One A250 is priced at €36.000 / $47,000. The A260 is €38.000 / $48,000, and the A280 is €43.000 / $55,000. These prices include a 5-year warranty. Estimated pricing for the optional Alpa lenses is: ALPA HR Alpagon 5.6/23 mm €7.110 / $9,070,00; ALPA HR Alpagon 5.6/70 mm €3.510 / $4,520.

Canon has released an updated version of its Digital Photo Professional (DPP) software. DPP 4.1.50 adds support for the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV, EOS 70D, EOS 7D Mark II (pictured), EOS 7D, EOS 5D Mark II, EOS 700D and EOS 100D dSLR cameras and the recently launched EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM and EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM lenses. The update also delivers faster adjustments, an improved raw image file workflow, enhanced highlight and shadow recovery, compatiblity with 64-bit native environments, and much more. You can download DPP 4.1.50 now, free of charge, from Canon Europe’s support site here.

Phase One has released an update to Capture One. Version 8.1 incorporates the following feature enhancements: incremental camera controls, up to sixteen adjustment layers, additional TIFF processing options, LiveVIew support for select models of Sony cameras, the ability to edit images in external applications, and much more. The upgrade also adds support for a range of Canon, Fuji, Leica, Panasonic and Sony cameras; and fixes bugs.

In February, Think Tank Photo will release their most travel friendly, comfortable, and reasonably priced backpack for users of DJI Phantom 2, Phantom 2 Vision or other similar sized drones.The Airport Helipak will easily hold a drone plus a 15” laptop, controller, GoPros WiFi range extender, charger, spare rotors, extra batteries, and a Delvcam Camera-Top 7" HDMI LCD Monitor, while still complying with airline carry-on size requirements. “As with all Think Tank gear, the Airport Helipak will be backed by our commitment to using only the highest quality materials,” said Think Tank Photo’s president and lead designer Doug Murdoch. “These include YKK RC Fuse zippers, 1680D Ballistic nylon bottom panel, metal hardware, and nylon webbing that are the most durable, longest lasting materials on the market. The last thing drone users want to worry about is if their backpack will hold up in rigorous outdoor conditions.”

UK-based Torquing Group has tapped Lantronix to provide secure, onboard Wi-Fi technology for its new ZANO nano drone, an aerial photography and HD video capture nano platform. The hand-sized ZANO utilises the Lantronix xPico Wi-Fi module to provide secure and direct connectivity to both iOS and Android devices, which enables users to communicate with and control the ZANO. Utilising a smartphone or tablet, users can either direct ZANO or set the intelligent nano drone to automatically follow the user and capture photos from a fixed distance. A multitude of sensors work seamlessly together to allow ZANO to avoid obstacles, hold its position, and know exactly where it is in conjunction with a smart handheld device, at all times. The companies will showcase the product during the 2015 International CES from 6 - 9 January 2015 at booth 25621 in LVCC, South Hall 2.

The Business Forum Imaging Cologne 2015 event, organised by Photo Imaging News and trade magazine International Contact, will take place on 28 and 29 January 2015 in Cologne's Congress Centre North. Featuring the motto, “Memories and markets in motion,” the conference is hosted by photokina, and comprises around 15 lectures addressing various aspects of the imaging busines. The first day's focus will be on how the imaging sector can harness the new technologies for new business models. Internationally renowned portrait and wedding photographers Charles and Jennifer Maring will demonstrate how professionals and amateurs can set memories in motion using innovations such as time-lapse, 4K video, light field photography and network technologies- The second day's focus is on current challenges facing the retail trade. Right from the outset, Cologne-based management consultant Ulrich Eggert will spell out how important it is for specialist retailers as well to exploit the growing importance of e-commerce and mobile commerce. Christian Rößler, Head of Connected Retail at Munich-based communication and marketing agency Serviceplan, will then unveil a fascinating concept for the retail trade of the future. This is about nothing less than a rethinking of the role of bricks and mortar retail and about innovative ideas for how Internet offerings and store retail experiences can be combined intelligently. The event is being supported by the Photographic Industry Association and market research company GfK Retail and Technology.

Apple has posted a Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update, which adds system-level support for raw image files generated by the Canon PowerShot G7 X and PowerShot SX60 HS, the Fujifilm X100T (pictured), the Nikon 1 J4, the Olympus E-PL7. the Panasonic GM5, and the Sony Alpha ILCE-5100 digital cameras. You can download the update from the website below.

Website: Apple

Totally Rad has released an update to its PicTapGo app for iOS. Version 2.0 adds a new Straighten tool and offers an improved Crop & Rotate tool. Also, you can now edit photos directly from other apps with Totally Rad's new App Extension under iOS 8, and share them via e-mail and MMS. PicTapGo 2.0 is available on the iTunes App Store for $1.99 in English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, and Chinese versions.