HTC has announced its first dedicated digital camera, called RE. Featuring a 1/2.33"-type 16-megapixel CMOS sensor and an f/2.8 lens with an angle of view of 146°, the HTC RE has an unusual shape and no viewfinder, LCD screen or physical controls except for a shutter release - however, it can be remote controlled wirelessly with most smartphones. In addition to capturing 16-megapixel stills, the RE camera can also record Full HD videos at 30 frames per second and 720p HD movie clips at up to 120fps. Other highlights include time-lapse photography, Bluetooth, USB and Wi-Fi connectivity and waterproofing (to 1m underwater, out of the box). RE’s built-in grip sensor instantly activates the camera as it’s picked up, eliminating the need for a power button. HTC's first camera will be available in the US from late October, with other markets following later.

Fujifilm UK is to close its Leeds-based E6 slide processing facility next month. This ceasing of E6 processing operations was planned a year in advance to enable customers who have remaining rolls of Fujichrome Sensia process-paid film sufficient time to get them developed. Fujifilm's pre-paid processing vouchers are only valid up to the closing date of 1st November 2014. Note, however, that Leeds-based professional laboratory CC Imaging will carry on developing transparency films as normal, just not under the 'Fujifilm Processing Laboratory' brand.

Think Tank Photo has introduced its Airport Accelerator Phantom 2 Quadcopter Divider Kit, which allows you to convert a separately sold Think Tank Photo Airport Accelerator backpack into a customised quadcopter carrying bag. "On point with the new era of photographic possibilities and needs, the adjustable dividers offer multi-compartment convenience to hold every key component and accessories of a quadcopter plus supplies for the day’s outing," the company says. "With its durable and changeable storage dividers, all of their gear and personal items are safe, organized, and at the ready." Designed to fit the DJI Phantom 2 quadcopter plus accessories, the Think Tank Photo Airport Accelerator Phantom 2 Quadcopter Divider Kit is available for $34.75 via the website below.

Ricoh have unveiled the water-, shock-, crush- and freezeproof Ricoh WG-30w compact camera, which comes equipped with built-in Wi-Fi connectivity and advanced smartphone support functions. The 16-megapixel Ricoh WG-30w boasts a back-illuminated CMOS image sensor, a 28-140mm equivalent lens and a solid, airtight body that's waterproof to a depth of 40 feet, shockproof from a height of 5 feet, crushproof against weights up to 220 pounds, and coldproof to -10 °C.  The WG-30 will be available  in December 2014 for a suggested retail price of £259.99 /$299.95. In the UK, the company will also launch a non-Wi-Fi version called the Ricoh WG-30, priced at £229.99.

ONA Bags have launched the North Sound photo accessories pouch ($149) and the Clarendon photo accessories organiser. Handcrafted with rich Italian leather, the North Sound photo accessories pouch protects and organises small photography accessories and can also accommodate a small tablet such as the Apple iPad Mini. In addition to the main compartment, it also features a front zippered pocket that includes four memory card slots. The Clarendon photo accessories organiser ($169, pictured) is a structured folio with slim pockets and strong elastic bands designed to hold small mobile lenses, batteries, mini-tripods and memory cards, secured by a zip closure. Both models include a detachable wrist strap.

The Manfrotto Pro Light Elements Cover range provides a series of practical, protective covers for DSLRs, professional flash and lens attachments and compact system cameras. Covered in a special coating, the fabric is water resistant, helping to keep your gear dry. Each cover features a simple, intuitive design to allow for easy access to all of the camera and lens controls. There are four models in the Manfrotto Pro Light range, including three camera covers and an extension lens sleeve kit. Pricing starts at £49.95.

The Sony World Photography Awards and Sony UK today launched a competition to discover the nation’s best photographer. The UK National Award is open to photographers of all abilities from the UK. Photographers can enter any of ten categories including Architecture, Arts & Culture, Enhanced, Low-light, Nature & Wildlife, Panoramic, People,  Smile, Split second and Travel. The judges, including Nigel Atherton, Editor in Chief at Amateur Photographer, will uncover and honour the best single image by a photographer from the United Kingdom from across these categories. The winner of the UK National Award will be announced on 18 March 2015.  The winning photographer will receive the latest photographic equipment from Sony, while two further photographers will receive runners-up prizes. Entries are free via the website below.

At Adobe MAX 2014, Adobe hasy announced it is shipping a "milestone release" of Creative Cloud. This major release includes significant feature updates to 13 essential CC desktop tools that link to a new family of integrated mobile apps. Central to this release is an all-new Creative Profile and 9 new mobile apps that extend the capabilities of the Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator and Premiere franchises onto mobile devices. In the Photoshop family, Photoshop Sketch lets creatives draw with new built-in expressive brushes and enables an integrated workflow with Photoshop CC and Illustrator CC. Updates to Photoshop Mix extend precise mobile compositing capabilities and now includes enhanced integration with Photoshop CC, as well as a new iPhone version. A new Lightroom Mobile app builds on integrated desktop and mobile workflows and includes features to allow clients, friends or family to select favourites and leave comments for photos shared online; and GPS information from iPhone photos now syncs with Lightroom desktop. In the Premiere family, the brand new Adobe Premiere Clip app easily transforms the video shot on iPhone or iPad into edited videos that are simple to share. Aspiring videographers can then send their compositions to Adobe Premiere Pro CC for advanced editing and finishing.

Promote Systems has announced two exclusive tethering solutions for the Panasonic GH4 compact system camera. USB Tether software, designed from the ground up in cooperation with Panasonic developers, allows users to easily control the GH4 from a PC or laptop. The company has also added support for Panasonic's flagship Micro Four Thirds model to its Promote Control, an advanced, pocket size remote controller for digital cameras. Click through / scroll down for more information.

Impossible has just released a new instant film for Polaroid SX-70 type cameras. The B&W SX-70 Hard Color is the latest in a series of Impossible Special and Limited Edition instant films that offer not just alternatives to the classic, white, square frame made famous by Polaroid – Impossible has created films with black, silver, gold, multiple colors, and tropical and animal skin prints – but also different coloured film emulsions, including sepia, cyan and magenta.The Polaroid SX-70 format is now 42 years old but according to Creed O’Hanlon, the Berlin-based CEO of Impossible CEO, it still relevant and exciting: “Analogue black and white film photography is being rediscovered by a younger generation who are captivated by the magical physicality – and authenticity – of a monochrome picture that develops within a few minutes in the palm of your hand.”

Canon USA has launched its "Canon See Impossible" campaign, a branding effort aimed to inspire customers to see impossible with Canon products. As part of the companywide marketing initiative, the Japanese brand has rolled out a new logo accompanied by a 3-D visual of an expanding box (pictured), symbolising Canon’s desire to "break the boundaries of what is possible." Additionally, the company has set up a new microsite housing consumer, professional, and commercial stories of inspiration, imagination, and innovative end-user applications of Canon imaging technology. “As a technology-based brand, Canon is constantly challenged to empower its customers in today’s high-tech and fast-paced world in which new apps and innovations are launching every single day,” said Joe Adachi, Chairman and CEO, Canon USA. “With imagination and customer focus at the core of the Canon business model, ‘Canon See Impossible’ will highlight the combined technological innovation and human ingenuity that makes the impossible possible. Our new rallying cry will extract creative thinking from a place of isolation, encourage exploration of the unknown, and showcase our creativity as it impacts the real world with limitless possibilities.”

Phase One has launched a complimentary five-year warranty programme and also a five-year uptime guarantee programme for selected camera systems. Customers who purchase new Phase One IQ2 camera systems will receive a free five-year warranty on all key camera system components, including: camera body, lenses and digital backs. The five-year uptime guarantee programme consists of free loaner units being made available should the camera, lense(s) or digital back(s) need to be repaired under terms of this warranty.  "We're excited to offer these great new five-year warranty and uptime guarantee programs on all new IQ2 camera system purchases,” said Franck Roussel Rasmussen, Director Product Management, Phase One. "It's a fitting match when the world's most demanding photographers invest in the world’s best camera systems.”

We've just received a full production version of the exciting new Panasonic LX100 premium compact camera. Before we start reviewing the LX100 in earnest, here's a quick look at exactly what's in the box. Reading like a serious enthuiast's wish-list, the Panasonic LX100 features a Micro Four Thirds sensor, 4K video recording, 24-75mm F1.7-F2.8 Leica lens, Live View Finder (LVF) with 2764K-dot resolution, 11 fps continuous shooting, and integrated Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity.