ddisoftware has announced Qimage 2009.250, a major revision of its professional photographic printing software, Qimage. New features include a “menu cheater” that allows direct access to dozens of commonly used functions that previously required drilling down into menus, and powerful new photo album functionality for the Studio Edition that allows users to organise photos into user defined photo albums. Behind-the-scenes tweaks include a new installer that allows users to install both program files and application data in user-selectable folders, automatic checks to ensure that saved printer setups are compatible with updated print drivers, and other time saving enhancements. The Qimage Lite Edition costs $34.95, the Professional Edition can be yours for $49.95, while the Studio Edition is $89.95.

Website: Qimage Latest Version

MAGIX Xtreme PhotoStory on CD & DVD 8 is now available in the UK. The program, which has already been launched in the USA, lets you liven up your pictures in just three steps: select images, add effects and music, and enjoy the show. Slideshows can be burned not only as DVDs with decorative menus, but also uploaded directly from within the program to YouTube. MAGIX Xtreme PhotoStory on CD & DVD Deluxe is available at £29.99 inc from all major UK retailers and online partners including Amazon and PC World.

JOBO has introduced a 9mm thick digital photo frame, the JOBO NANO 7, as part of a new series of digital frames. The JOBO NANO 7, which features a 7” LCD, will be available in three different versions – Basic, Pro and Media. The JOBO NANO 7 Pro and Media versions feature touch activated buttons on the front of the frame. The NANO Media version features multimedia capabilities including viewing digital photos in slide shows along with music and video with audio. The resolution of the NANO 7 Basic is 480x234 pixels, whereas the Pro and Media versions come with an 800x480-pixel screen.The NANO 7 offers Dual-Mini-USB 2.0 high speed capability for connecting a card reader or USB jump drive and supports SD and MMC memory cards. The JOBO NANO 7 Basic, Pro and Media will be available in June with an AC adapter, remote control and manual for €74.90, €94.90, and €119 MSRP, respectively. The JOBO NANO 8 Media (8 inch) and NANO 10 Media (10 inch) models will be available later in July 2009 for €139 and €199 respectively.

Photo Iconic has launched a new range of photography courses, designed to appeal to photographers, journalists, writers and authors. These new courses will teach participants how to shoot to a brief and illustrate a story which appeals to picture buyers and editors. After participants are taught how to shoot like a pro, with lots of practical opportunities and advice, plus repeated feedback, they’ll get the opportunity to photograph an actual event under the watchful guidance of the tutors. There are two courses for 2009: ‘A Country Life’ (July 4th-5th) covers the Heveningham Hall Country Fair, while ‘Sea to Table’ (September 26th-27th) explores the coastal villages and seafood beloved by Suffolk ‘foodies’. There is also the option to come back on the third day to review the images taken at the event and receive advice and feedback on composition, editing and picture selection. Each course also includes the option of a dinner at the 16th century Crown Hotel in Framlingham. Each course costs £345 for the first two days (to include the Suffolk produce dinner, but excluding accommodation), and the optional feedback day costs £95.

Website: Photo Iconic

Viewbook.com has released an updated version of its online image presentation service and a refreshed website “to further empower visual creatives around the globe”. Designed for photographers, designers and graphic artists, Viewbook allows visual creatives to be organised, display and present their work simply and stylishly. Viewbook’s features also extend to presentation creation and client delivery, as well as online image archive and flexible presentation formats. In the coming months, more new features are planned, such as plug-ins for use with Adobe Lightroom2 and Apple Aperture.

Website: Viewbook

Pentax Germany says on its website that the new K series Pentax DSLR is coming on the 20th of May. We have already told you about a teaser campaign launched by Pentax Japan that puts the announcement date on the 21st. The discrepancy is apparent only, as Japan and Germany are in two very different time zones. From the countdown running on the German website, one can deduce that the new Pentax DSLR will be unveiled at 4pm CET on the 20th, which is 0:00 on the 21st in Japan. The official name of the product is unknown, but it is widely expected that the new DSLR will be called the Pentax K-7. TeKaDe, which bills itself as “Germany’s and Austria’s Number One Pentax Shop” expects the camera to become commercially available at the end of June / beginning of July, and puts the price at around €1,500.

Website: Pentax DSLR Countdown

  The Pentax K-7 has been announced.

The Epson Stylus SX215 is a compact all-in-one with individual inks designed for printing photos and documents. The Epson SX215 features memory card slots and a 3.8cm LCD viewer and uses Epson DURABrite Ultra Ink. Richard Aplin, Product Manager, Epson UK says: “The Epson Stylus SX215 is perfect for your everyday printing, scanning and copying needs. It gives you outstanding text quality and lab-quality photos, as well as intuitive PC-free functions and cost-effective individual inks.” The Epson Stylus SX215 will be available on 1st July, 2009 for £99.99.

The new Epson Stylus SX115 is a compact printer, scanner and copier with individual inks. Offering the highest printing resolution in its class, the Epson SX115 features Epson’s DURABrite Ultra Ink, an advanced pigment-based ink technology. Richard Aplin, Product Manager, Epson UK says: “This product is the perfect solution for people who need a simple and compact all-in-one at home. Printing documents, lab-quality photos, web pages, emails and homework is quick and easy. The Epson Stylus SX115 is a cost effective all-in-one that does not compromise on quality.” The Epson Stylus SX115 will be available on 1st July, 2009 for £69.99.

The new Epson Stylus SX115 is a compact printer, scanner and copier with individual inks. Offering the highest printing resolution in its class, the Epson SX115 features Epson’s DURABrite Ultra Ink, an advanced pigment-based ink technology. Richard Aplin, Product Manager, Epson UK says: “This product is the perfect solution for people who need a simple and compact all-in-one at home. Printing documents, lab-quality photos, web pages, emails and homework is quick and easy. The Epson Stylus SX115 is a cost effective all-in-one that does not compromise on quality.” The Epson Stylus SX115 will be available on 1st July, 2009 for £69.99.

Landscape and travel photographer David Noton has confirmed the first in a series of inspirational evening events – the ‘Chasing the Light’ Road Shows. The first events – billed as being ‘an evening of photographic discovery’ - will take place at the Olympus Theatre , WISE Campus, Filton College in Bristol, on 9th & 10th September. For full details and to buy tickets online visit www.davidnoton.com. Tickets are priced at £15.

The new Epson Stylus SX515W is a high-speed compact printer, scanner and copier with Wi-Fi. A 6.3 cm LCD viewer, in-built PictBridge and memory card slots, and an Ethernet connection for wired networking complete the Epson SX515W’s headline specs. Richard Aplin, Product Manager at Epson UK commented: “With more households having several wireless laptops or computers, flexibility and the capacity to share a printer becomes essential. The Epson Stylus SX515W incorporates Wi-Fi which allows multiple users to print and scan wirelessly from around the home, eliminating the need to have more than one printer.” The Epson Stylus SX515W will be available on 1st June, 2009 for £149.99.

The Adorama Imaging Resource Center has undergone a significant facelift, and has been renamed the Adorama Learning Center. New features include the ability for visitors to comment on and rate any article. Easy social network bookmarking tools, RSS feeds for every category, and a new blog and podcasts have also been added and the layouts widened in order to accommodate larger illustrations, while navigation has been made more flexible and user-friendly, Adorama claims.

Website: Adorama Learning Center

The Epson Stylus SX415 is a new all-in-one printer with individual inks offering printing, scanning and copying. With a 6.3cm LCD viewer, memory card slots and in-built PictBridge, there is no need for a PC to print all your photos. Richard Aplin, Product Manager at Epson UK says: “The versatile Epson Stylus SX415 offers high-quality output to meet all the printing, scanning and copying needs of our customers. What’s more it comes with individual ink cartridges, which is a cost-effective solution to printing. The Epson SX415 will be available on 1st July, 2009 for £119.99.

Sony Ericsson has announced an “international smile hunt”, in which participants are asked “to capture as many smiles as possible on their mobile camera phone”. Forty-four countries are taking part and only a select few from each country will be chosen as official Smile Hunters. They will get to go to the most prestigious events, exclusive parties, meet new people and travel to exciting places as a Sony Ericsson VIP – for free. Anyone who thinks they could be a Sony Ericsson Smile Hunter must first apply online at www.sonyericsson.com/smilehunter. If you find yourself among the lucky few, you will receive a ‘Smile Hunting Kit’ including a new Sony Ericsson Cyber-shot™ C510 or C905 Plus camera phone with Smile Shutter technology, gig tickets, VIP passes to exclusive events, trips for you and your friends, festival tickets and entrance to exclusive club nights.

Website: Smile Hunt

Condé Nast Traveler has announced its annual Dream Trip contest for 2009. Participants are asked to send in a photo of a great travel moment, accompanied by a short description. The lucky winner will be awarded a $25,000 dream trip to anywhere on Earth. Additionally, ten finalists will each win a Sony Alpha DSLR-A350. Plus, for every photo submitted, you will automatically be entered for a chance to win a five-night trip for two to Hotel Cala di Volpe on Sardinia, Italy.

Website: Condé Nast Traveler’s Annual Dream Trip Contest
Review: Read our in-depth review of the Sony A350 DSLR

A photographic exhibition entitled ‘Emergence’ will be held in the Custard Factory, Birmingham, from 5 to 13 June. The exhibition showcases the finest works of students on the HND2 and HNC2 courses at Sandwell College. The photos span a wide range of genres, including fashion, portraiture, social documentary and wildlife. The exhibition is open 10am-7pm every day - except Sunday when it closes at 3pm.

Following a press release by Panasonic USA, the company’s UK branch has also announced an approximate price for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1. The new Mirco Four Thirds digital camera with Full-High Definition video recording ability will be available in early June on Panasonic’s eshop for approx. £1299.99 including the new Lumix G Vario HD 14-140mm lens.

Following a press release by Panasonic USA, the company’s UK branch has also announced an approximate price for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1. The new Mirco Four Thirds digital camera with Full-High Definition video recording ability will be available in early June on Panasonic’s eshop for approx. £1299.99 including the new Lumix G Vario HD 14-140mm lens.