Microsoft today announced the worldwide consumer release of their latest Office 2010 productivity software. The new suite focuses heavily on remote collaboration across devices to help express ideas, solve problems and connect with others no matter where you are.

Syncing with its online companion called Office Web Apps, you can create Word, PowerPoint, Excel and OneNote documents locally in Office 2010, upload them to Windows Live SkyDrive and share and collaborate with friends and colleagues in the cloud – from wherever you have Internet access. Web Apps preserves all formatting from your original documents, providing identical copies for viewing and editing when moving between your PC, phone and browser.

Also including a new standout social networking feature called Social Connector, the suite’s Outlook email application brings together the most recent status updates, wall posts, photos, attachments and appointments from your friends, family and coworkers across a multitude of networks including Facebook, Windows Live, LinkedIn and MySpace – providing a simplified aggregated view into your social networking life.

With a number of other new features including Sparklines in Excel (charts that fit into a single cell for at-a-glance visualization), photo editing in Word, linked notes in the digital notebook app OneNote, video and broadcast capabilities in PowerPoint and an improved customizable Ribbon for quick access to commands – Microsoft Office 2010 is available now from Amazon.com with list prices set at $149.99 for Home and Student, $279.99 for Home and Business and $499.99 for Office 2010 Professional.

Press release:

Microsoft Office 2010 Now Available for Consumers Worldwide
Millions of beta users help Microsoft deliver the best experience for getting things done across the PC, phone and browser.
 
NEW YORK — June 15, 2010 — Today, Microsoft Corp. announced the worldwide availability of Microsoft Office 2010, Microsoft Visio 2010 and Microsoft Project 2010. Consumers can now purchase Office 2010 at more than 35,000 retail stores across the globe, such as Best Buy, Fnac, Harvey Norman and PC World; through online retailers, including Amazon.com; and direct from Microsoft at Office.com.
Office 2010 can also be purchased with the most popular desktops and laptops from leading PC makers including Acer Inc., Asus, Dell Inc., HP, Lenovo, Samsung and Sony Corp. In the next year, more than 100 million PCs will ship with Office 2010 preloaded, which can easily be activated with the purchase of any one of the three versions of Office 2010, including Office Home and Student 2010, Office Home and Business 2010, or Office Professional 2010.
 
“Working with major retail partners and PC makers, we’ve made dramatic changes in the way we deliver Office 2010 to give consumers more buying choice, making it easier than ever to unlock the power of Office on new and existing PCs,” said Stephen Elop, president, Microsoft Business Division. “For the first time, people can purchase a Product Key Card at retail to activate Office 2010 preloaded on new PCs. For those who want to download Office 2010 direct from Office.com for an existing PC, the new Click-to-Run technology will have them up and running in a matter of minutes.”
Office 2010 Represents a Great Growth Opportunity for Microsoft and Its Partners
 
“Recent comScore Tech Metrix data confirms that more than 1 billion PCs worldwide have Office software installed, making it the most widely used productivity suite in the world,” said Mike Hurt, senior vice president of comScore. “This milestone helps illustrate the importance that software products like Microsoft Office have played in shaping the digital world to date.”
Considering there are approximately 1.8 billion Internet users worldwide, Microsoft and its channel partners see an incredible opportunity to deliver Office 2010 to existing and new Office customers around the world.
 
From a survey of Office 2010 beta users, Microsoft found that 75 percent say they plan to buy Office 2010 within six months. The Office 2010 beta program had more than 9 million downloads — more than six times the size of the 2007 Microsoft Office beta program — indicating strong consumer interest in Office 2010.
 
“Following the great response to the Office 2010 beta and the success of Windows 7, we predict this will be the biggest consumer release of Office, ever,” Elop said.
Productivity Solutions Across the PC, Phone and Browser
 
Throughout its development cycle, customer feedback has been critical to the improvements found in Office 2010. Based on this valuable input, Microsoft has made considerable enhancements to help users do the following:
 
•             Create great-looking documents and presentations. Express creativity in PowerPoint 2010 presentations with new video and photo editing features. Add extensive text effects and table formatting options in Word 2010. Reveal important trends in data with Sparklines in Excel 2010. OneNote 2010 makes everything you need simple to find, organize and share.
 
•             Connect and work together more simply. Advanced e-mail management and calendaring capabilities in Outlook 2010 and the new Outlook Social Connector help people stay productive and in touch with personal and business networks. Work with others more efficiently using new co-authoring in Word 2010, PowerPoint 2010 and OneNote 2010. Deliver presentations over the Web with new PowerPoint Broadcast Slideshow.
 
•             Get things done from virtually anywhere. With Office 2010 and the Office Web Apps — the online companions to Word, PowerPoint, Excel and OneNote — people have the freedom to save documents directly from Office 2010 to Windows Live SkyDrive, then view, edit and share those documents in the cloud. The Office Web Apps preserve the look and feel of Office documents, so valuable content and formatting are not compromised while moving between the PC, phone and browser*
 
Office Mobile 2010 also is available from Windows® Phone Marketplace for all Windows Mobile 6.5 phones. People using Office Mobile 2010 can perform lightweight editing of Office documents and take notes on the go, or work on Office documents stored on their phone or attached to an e-mail.
 
Today, Office 2010 is available in 10 languages and will expand to 94 languages.
 
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
* An appropriate device, Internet connection and supported browser are required. Some mobile functionality requires Office Mobile 2010, which is not included in Office 2010 applications, suites or Web Apps. There are some differences between the features of the Office Web Apps, Office Mobile 2010 and the Office 2010 applications.

Adobe have just announced their latest Photoshop Lightroom 3 software which assists both serious amateur and professional photographers in managing, editing and showcasing their images. Helping you get the very best from every shot, the latest version of the nondestructive editing software boasts new features such as superior noise reduction, instant import tethered shooting (for compatible cameras), state-of-the-art image processing, easy-share slide show videos with music, accelerated performance as well as seamless integration with Flickr for direct uploads and in-software user comments. Compatible with either Mac or Windows as a download or shipped box set, Photoshop Lightroom 3 is available now from Adobe for $99 as an upgrade or $299 for the full version.

I attended the official launch event for Microsoft’s very much anticipated Windows 7 in London today, ahead of the worldwide release midnight tonight. Apart from being touchscreen-capable, the OS includes a host of new features designed to improve performance, battery life, responsiveness, start-up times and generally simplify everyday tasks.

According to Microsoft, the Windows 7 pre-orders alone (which have been available for just over 3 months in the UK, longer in the States) have outstripped the whole first year’s worth of sales for the company’s previous and rather unpopular Windows Vista OS.

Microsoft claims the sales boost on Windows 7 is largely due to the product selling itself through positive word-of-mouth and discussion in the blogosphere, unlike its predecessor which required a massive $300 million marketing push to try and reverse negative sentiment.

Featuring lots of little touches such as HomeGroup – which lets you easily connect other Win 7 PC’s at home for file or printer sharing and Snap – which makes side-by-side comparison of two documents a breeze, Windows 7 also includes a completely redesigned Taskbar that aims for greater intuitiveness and less clutter.

Shipping midnight tonight, Microsoft’s Windows 7 is available from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk in a range of upgrade and full version flavors including Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate Editions starting at $120 and £80 respectively.

Note: For an in-depth look at what’s new in Windows 7, I’ve also uploaded the Final Product Guide (8MB PDF).

A special thanks to Leah and Joe from 3 Monkeys for the invite and to Microsoft for the presentation.

Press release:

Microsoft Simplifies the PC with Windows 7
New PC Operating System Available Worldwide

London, UK — 22 October, 2009 — Today Microsoft Corp. announced the worldwide availability of its new Windows 7 operating system. Windows 7 delivers on a simple premise: make it easier for people to do the things they want on a PC. The new operating system offers a streamlined user interface and significant new features that make everyday tasks easier and allow people to get the most out of computers of all styles and sizes.
“The launch of Windows 7 marks the start of an exciting new era for PC users in the UK,” said Ashley Highfield, MD and VP of Consumer and Online, Microsoft UK. “Windows 7 brings to consumers more choice and value than any previous Microsoft operating system. We’ve worked with partners and consumers alike to deliver an improved user experience with enhanced performance and functionality that promote ease and simplicity in everyday tasks.”
Building Windows 7 has been a collaborative process from the beginning, with Microsoft’s engineers and designers working with customers and partners to build an operating system that delivers on the vision of the PC, simplified.
“The development of Windows 7 was a huge collaborative project that involved listening to the feedback from millions of people around the world,” said Leila Martine, Windows Consumer Business Group Lead, Microsoft UK. “We are grateful to all the customers, partners and developers who helped make Windows 7 what we believe is the best Microsoft operating system ever.”

On Sale Worldwide Today
The global availability of Windows 7 is joined by an unprecedented array of new PCs and software programs. With more PC options available for customers today at a wide range of price points starting from under £230, customers can choose the PC that fits their personality, style, and needs: from netbooks and ultra-thin notebooks, to highly interactive multi-touch laptops and all-in-one desktops as well as water-cooled gaming machines. For information on product offers, visit http://www.microsoft.com/uk/win7offers .

Pricing details:
Windows 7 Upgrade version
Windows 7 Home Premium: £79.99 until 31 December, £99.99 thereafter
Windows 7 Professional: £189.99
Windows 7 Ultimate: £199.99

Windows 7 Full version
Windows 7 Home Premium: £149.99
Windows 7 Professional: £219.99
Windows 7 Ultimate: £229.99

Windows 7 Family Pack (allowing for installation of the same copy of Windows 7 Home Premium on up to three PCs)
£149.99 (N.B. the Family Pack will be available in limited quantities)
Windows 7 Student offer (Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade OR Windows 7 Professional Upgrade)
£30 each. NB – For those students requiring the full packaged product (FPP) they can opt to receive a boxed version, by post, for an additional cost of £9

*Estimated retail price based on promotional prices as of 22 October 2009 GA in the United Kingdom, actual retail prices may vary by retailer.

Sky Player with Windows 7
Sky’s online TV service, Sky Player, is to be added to Windows Media Center in Windows 7 for UK customers, creating a new and exciting way to watch live and on-demand TV from Sky on a PC. With the simple addition of an inexpensive TV tuner, Windows 7 can function like a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), so audiences can also watch and record broadcast TV on their PC (UK TV License may be required for certain functionality). Sky Player currently has 24 live streaming TV channels and provides a comprehensive on-demand library which includes 500 movies to download at anytime from Sky Movies and thousands of programmes spanning entertainment, sport documentaries, kids, culture and news. For existing Sky TV customers, Sky Player in Windows 7 offers another way to view their Sky TV, in addition to their set top box. For new customers, Sky Player in Windows 7 will offer a wide range of live channels and on-demand content via a number of different packages through a monthly subscription. Windows Media Center is included in Windows 7 Home Premium, Ultimate, Professional and Enterprise.
Griff Parry, Director of On Demand, BSkyB comments, “Sky Player in Windows 7 offers yet another innovative and attractive way through which to access a wide range of live and on-demand TV.  Whether it’s an existing customer looking to get even more from their Sky subscription, or someone connecting with Sky for the first time through their PC, everyone can enjoy a high-quality online TV experience through Windows 7.”

Simplifying the PC
Over the past 18 months, feedback from more than a billion opt-in customer sessions and eight million beta testers validated Microsoft’s research on how to simplify everyday tasks. Here are a few of the many ways you’ll experience a more simplified PC with Windows 7:

Simplifies everyday tasks
• Taskbar: The go-to spot for launching programs and switching windows. The taskbar has been completely redesigned to help you work smarter, cut clutter, and get more done, with features like thumbnail previews of webpages, documents and—even running video.
• HomeGroup: Easily share your files and printers with other Windows 7 PCs in your home.
• DeviceStage: Shows you the status of all your connected devices such as cameras and mobile phones and makes it easier to synchronise and manage them.
• Photos and Videos: Windows Live Photo Gallery and Windows Live Movie Maker offer customers great free options to edit photos, videos, and easily share with loved ones.
• Snap: Drag an open window to your screen’s border to automatically re-size it. Snap two different windows to the left and right borders for a perfect comparison.
• Shake: Click a window pane and shake your mouse to minimise all other open windows. Shake the pane again to restore the windows to their original sizes.
• Internet Explorer 8: Our fastest, easiest, and safest browser ever. Smart new features like Instant Search, Accelerators, and Web Slices help you get more out of the Web.

Works the way you want
• Faster On, Faster Off: Every Windows 7 user will benefit from the focus on underlying performance, faster startup, resuming and shut down time, and enhanced power management.
• Mobile Made Easier: All your mobile computing settings are in one place with the Windows Mobility Center.
• Protecting your PC: Safeguarding the data on your PC is easier with advanced backup capabilities and the free Microsoft Security Essentials download to protect you against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.

Makes new things possible
• Windows Touch: Interact with your PC with a touch-screen monitor, using your fingers and multi-touch gestures.
• PlayTo: Stream your digital music, videos, and photos to other PCs or devices such as your Xbox 360 connected to your TV.
• Internet TV: New content providers and an improved interface make it even easier to watch TV on your PC.
• Rich Gaming and Graphics: Windows 7 includes performance enhancements that take power gaming and entertainment to a new level, with 64-bit support and DirectX11 graphics.
• Location-Aware Printing – Your documents are sent to the right printer whether it’s at home or at the office. And with Offline Files you can work offline and automatically synchronise between a PC and documents on your office network.

Partners Rally Around Windows 7
Along with increased customer involvement, Microsoft’s partners had a closer, more involved role in the product vision and planning process with Windows 7. The collaborative approach to engaging partners to inform development efforts has resulted in improved performance for PCs as well as compatibility with a broad range of software and hardware across the Windows ecosystem. More than 16,000 software and hardware companies are building solutions on Windows 7 and over 44,000 developers are enrolled in the Windows Ecosystem Readiness Program. Together, these partners are developing hardware, software and services capable of reaching more than a billion PCs around the world.

About Microsoft:

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Adobe yesterday announced their new Photoshop Elements 8 image editing and Premiere Elements 8 video editing software, which both include a number of new additions and improvements. Available in either a box set or individually, the new software features so-called smart tools with built-in intelligence, to automate workflow and simplify picture and movie editing.

Photoshop Elements 8

Photoshop Elements 8 (PSE8) is the consumer version of Adobe’s CS4 pro-suite heavyweight and now features a new Photomerge Exposure function, that enables you to achieve better lighting in your images by merging multiple shots of the same scene. Another feature, Quick Fix, allows you to select your favorite version of a photo from a series of automatically adjusted previews – altered with different color, contrast and lighting settings.

This new version also features an impressive Recompose tool that can automagically bring people or objects closer together in a shot, making for much simpler image resizing (hit the gallery below for a screenshot).

Premiere Elements 8

The updates in Premiere Elements 8 (PRE8) focus heavily on automation, including new options such as Smart Fix that help you improve shaky video capture, as well as problems with lighting and color. This new version also includes a Smart Trim feature for cutting dull footage, Smart Mix for balancing audio elements, as well as Motion Tracking capabilities for the easy addition of graphics, text and effects, that can automatically follow a subject within a scene.

The new Elements 8 software is available now from Adobe.com, with the Photoshop Elements / Premiere Elements bundle (image above) retailing for $149.99 (currently $119.99 after $30 mail-in rebate). If you so desire, Adobe’s Photoshop.com Plus membership can be purchased at the same time for $30 (save $20) for the first year, getting you 20GB of online storage and downloadable in-software tutorials.

Premiere Elements 8 by itself is ready to go too, retailing for $99.99 ($79.99 after rebate).

Photoshop Elements 8 for PC is also available now for $99.99 ($79.99 after rebate), while the Mac version is available on pre-order for the same price with shipping scheduled for October.

Press Release 1

Intelligent Technology and Ease of Use Delivers the Power to Do More with Photos

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Sept. 23, 2009 —Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced Adobe®Photoshop®Elements 8 software available for Windows® and Mac, providing automated and intelligent photo-editing technology across both platforms. With the newest version of the No. 1 selling consumer photo-editing software,* Adobe continues to make cutting-edge innovation accessible to users who want powerful yet easy-to-use tools to tell compelling stories with their photos.

“With nearly 20 years of Photoshop innovation under our belt, we are able to leverage industry-leading technology that the professionals use and make it accessible to our Elements customers,” said Doug Mack, vice president and general manager of Consumer and Hosted Solutions at Adobe. “We’ve simplified the editing process, without taking away any of the power, and incorporated smart tools with built-in intelligence to bring once difficult tasks, within reach of everyone.”

Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 for Windows
With the enhanced Organizer, Windows users of Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 can easily manage media and find photo and video clips even faster than before. The new Auto-Analyzer automatically analyzes and tags media so users can quickly find the most interesting and highest quality content and People Recognition identifies people in photos, becoming more intelligent over time, as it learns to associate names and faces. Also, consumers can now automatically synch all their media across multiple computers.

Photoshop Elements 8 brings editing capabilities and simplicity to a new level. With Adobe Photomerge® Exposure, users can simply merge multiple shots of the same scene, with and without a flash, together to create a perfectly lit photo that shows every detail. Leveraging Photoshop CS4 technology, the new Recompose provides users with an easy way to automatically resize photos without distorting the most important parts. Additionally, Quick Fix previews allow users to visually choose the best color, contrast and lighting adjustments from a series of previews. Once photo creations are ready to be shared, Photoshop Elements 8 offers new interactive Online Album templates that can showcase photos and videos together.

For even more creative possibilities, Windows users have the option to purchase Plus. Additional benefits include 20GB of storage for automatic online backup and sharing (up to 15,000 photos or four hours of DVD-quality video), as well as regular deliveries of tutorials, tips and tricks, seasonal artwork and interactive online templates sent directly to the desktop software. Photos and videos can also be accessed anywhere with an Internet connection at Photoshop.com.

Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac
Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac is the perfect complement to iPhoto® for consumers who want to go beyond the basics and tell amazing stories with their photos. The software is loaded with new options to make extraordinary photos with ease. For media management, Mac users have access to all the features in Adobe Bridge CS4 software, which provides quick organization with a custom viewing workspace and full-screen preview with one-click close-ups. Keyword tags and a variety of search options also make it easy to find photos quickly.

Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac now includes all of the intelligent photo-editing options as the Windows version. In addition to Photomerge Exposure, Recompose and Quick Fix previews, Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac features Scene Cleaner for brushing away unwanted elements, such as tourists or cars, from a series of photos to create the perfect scene. The Smart Brush helps users apply incredible effects to a specific area of a photo with a single stroke and Touch-Up brushes make common editing tasks quick, such as whitening teeth or making bright blue skies. When creations are ready to be shared with family and friends, users can display their photos on the Web with gallery templates or personal Web pages, by e-mail and on CD or DVD.

Pricing and Availability
Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 (Windows) is available now at www.adobe.com, and Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac will be available in Oct. 2009. Both products will be available soon at retail outlets such as Amazon.com, Apple (Mac only), Costco.com (Windows only), Best Buy, Office Depot and Office Max.

Photoshop Elements 8 (Windows) is available for US$99.99, and users can purchase Plus from within the product for US$49.99/year. Plus is available to Windows customers in the U.S. only. Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac will be available for US$99.99.

Information about other language versions, as well as pricing, upgrade and support policies for other countries is available at www.adobe.com/go/photoshopelements. For free training videos on Photoshop Elements, visit Adobe TV at http://tv.adobe.com.

* Source: The NPD Group/Retail Tracking Service (April 2002 to March 2009) based on units sold (North America only).

About Adobe Systems Incorporated
Adobe revolutionizes how the world engages with ideas and information – anytime, anywhere and through any medium. For more information, visit www.adobe.com.

Press Release 2

Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 and Premiere Elements 8 Available Now With Smart Tools for Editing Magic

New Versions of Consumer Photo- and Video-Editing Software Offer Built-in Intelligence for Auto-Analysis of Photos, Motion Tracking in Videos and More to Create Impressive Digital Memories

September 23, 2009 12:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time
SAN JOSE, Calif.–(EON: Enhanced Online News)–Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced two highly anticipated new versions of its picture editor and movie-editing software: Adobe® Photoshop® Elements 8 and Adobe Premiere® Elements 8 for Windows. Available together as a single retail package or as standalone products, the software equips users with two powerful yet easy-to-use products for all their photo and video needs. In addition, Adobe released Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac® providing users with new capabilities to make amazing photos with ease.

Photoshop Elements 8 and Premiere Elements 8 customers now have access to smart tools with built-in intelligence that bring their picture and movie editing to new heights. With Photoshop Elements 8, Adobe makes cutting-edge innovation accessible to consumers who want to do more with their photos. Premiere Elements 8 unveils new smart and automatic tools that take the work out of video editing, allowing users to quickly and easily create impressive movies.

Photoshop Elements 8 & Premiere Elements 8 Bundle (Windows) Offers Customers a Feature-Rich Organizer to Unite Photos and Videos

The new Auto-Analyzer automatically analyzes and tags the most interesting and highest-quality photos and video footage.
People Recognition identifies people in photos, becoming more intelligent over time, as it learns to associate names and people.
New full-screen previews display photos and video clips in the slideshow mode directly in the Organizer. Users can also make quick edits to photos or tag video footage while viewing them.
In addition, users can now synch all their media on multiple computers automatically.
Photoshop Elements 8 (Windows): Intelligent Technology to Create Extraordinary Photos

Photomerge® Exposure creates a perfectly lit photo that shows every detail by combining multiple shots of the same scene – with or without a flash – in just a few simple clicks.
Leveraging Photoshop CS4 technology, the new Recompose provides users with an easy way to automatically resize photos without distorting the most important parts.
Quick Fix previews allow users to visually choose the best color, contrast and lighting adjustments from a series of previews.
Once photo creations are ready to be shared, Photoshop Elements 8 offers new interactive Online Album templates that can showcase photos and videos together.
Premiere Elements 8 (Windows): Automated Options Make Incredible Movies

Smart Fix ensures that every clip looks its best by automatically fixing shaky footage and color and lighting problems.
Smart Trim identifies and helps get rid of the least interesting, lowest quality footage.
Smart Mix seamlessly balances audio elements to give videos professional-quality sound throughout.
Motion-tracking capabilities give users the power to add graphics, text and effects – such as thought bubbles and motion blur – that will automatically follow a subject within a scene.
Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac: Powerful New Tools for Quick and Easy Organization, Photo Editing and Exciting Effects

For organization, Mac users have full access to all the features in Bridge CS4, which provides quick organization with a custom viewing workspace and full-screen preview with one-click close-ups. Keyword tags and a variety of search options also make it easy to find photos quickly.
Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac now includes all of the intelligent photo-editing options as the Windows version. In addition to Photomerge Exposure, Recompose and Quick Fix previews, Mac users will have access to the following new tools:
Photomerge Scene Cleaner for brushing away unwanted elements, such as tourists or cars, from a series of photos to create the perfect scene.
The Smart Brush helps apply incredible effects to a specific area of a photo with a single stroke.
Touch-Up brushes make common editing tasks quick, such as whitening teeth or making bright blue skies.
Quote:

Doug Mack, vice president of hosted and consumer solutions for Adobe

“We want our customers to feel confident that they can achieve professional results with their photos and videos, without having to do any of the heavy lifting. With Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements we’ve incorporated smart tools with built-in intelligence. We pushed the limits of our software, so that anyone can create impressive digital memories and have fun in the process.”

Pricing and Availability

Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 & Adobe Premiere Elements 8 software for Windows is available now at www.adobe.com, and will be available soon at retail outlets such as Amazon.com, Costco.com, Best Buy, Office Depot and Office Max.
The bundle is available for US$149.99, and users can purchase Plus from within the product for US$49.99/year. Plus is available in the U.S. only. Both Photoshop Elements 8 and Premiere Elements software for Windows are available separately for US$99.99.
Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac® will be available for US$99.99 in Oct. 2009.
For free 30-day trials of the products, please visit www.adobe.com/downloads.
Helpful links:

Photoshop Elements 8 (Windows): www.adobe.com/go/photoshopelements
Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac: www.adobe.com/go/photoshopelmac
Premiere Elements 8: www.adobe.com/go/premiereelements
Free Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements training videos on Adobe TV: http://tv.adobe.com
About Adobe Systems Incorporated

Adobe revolutionizes how the world engages with ideas and information – anytime, anywhere and through any medium. For more information, visit www.adobe.com.

Sources:
Adobe (Photoshop Elements 8 Press Release) and Businesswire (Elements 8 Box Set Press Release)

Apple have officially announced the latest version of their operating system called Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, which is not only packed with speed and performance improvements – but quicker to market than expected, with shipping to begin in a few days on August 28.

Snow Leopard is a performance-based update and is half the size of its Leopard predecessor. It will actually free up 7GB of space when installed and roars along loading emails in Mail twice as fast, performing initial Time Machine backups 80 percent faster and equipped with a 64-bit version of Safari 4, delivers 50 percent faster Javascript performance – making for much zippier pageloads. The Finder is also more responsive, which should reduce hangs when your system is under heavy load.

Snow Leopard also includes a next generation 64-bit media player called QuickTime X, which sports a new uncluttered interface and boasts a 2.4x faster launch speed. QuickTime can now capture video and audio through your built-in webcam and microphone, trim media and easily send your creations to iTunes or upload them to YouTube for sharing.

Unfortunately, OS X 10.6 does condemn our PowerPC Macs to an untimely obsolescence, as it only supports the newer Intel-based Macs (look for “About This Mac” in the Finder if you’re unsure). If you meet this unfortunate requirement, a single user upgrade is well worth its small $29.00 ($49.00 for the family pack) price tag. For a full app upgrade, the new Snow Leopard inclusive Mac Box Sets are also available for $169 (single) and $229 (family) coupled with both iLife ’09 and iWork ’09.

The new OS, along with the updated Mac Box Sets are available now on pre-order at Amazon.com with shipping to commence on August 28. If you’re in the UK, Amazon.co.uk are also stocking the lineup, with Snow Leopard priced at £23.99 / £39.00 and the latest Mac Box Sets for £129 / £179.

Sources:
Apple (Press Release) and Apple (Snow Leopard Overview)

Apple launched new versions of their Final Cut Studio, Logic Studio and Logic Express 9 during a brief pull-down of the Apple Store today. All three versions are major updates with hundreds of additions and improvements.

Logic Studio, the recording and editing suite for people who have outgrown GarageBand – contains over 200 new features including Pedalboard plug-ins for better guitar amp effects, plus a new amp design. The new Flex Time features help you with one of the more frustrating areas with recording – timing and tempo. The collection lets you manipulate your audio by pushing it around with your mouse, doing away with time-consuming cutting and splicing.

The new Logic Express 9 inherits some of the features of its more expensive brother, Logic Studio, such as some of the Flex Time features and now includes over 100 software instruments and studio effects.

Final Cut Studio, the suite of pro applications for filmmakers gets over 100 new features to help you work faster – including improved export features, plus extra codec support and performance for better compatibility and faster renders.

Final Cut Studio is available now for $999 ($299 Upgrade) | £799 (£249 Upgrade) while Logic Studio is also live on the Apple Store for $499 | £399 with two different upgrade options. Logic Express 9 is available on pre-order for $199 ($99 Upgrade) | £159 (£79 Upgrade) and will be shipping in August.

UPDATE: MacMall are undercutting Apple’s price on all three programs by around 10%. Final Cut Studio: Save $99 ($30 on upgrade). Logic Studio: Save $49 ( $29 | $19 on upgrades). Logic Express: Save $19 ($9 on upgrade).

Sources:
Apple via SlashGear

Microsoft’s eagerly awaited Windows 7 Operating System will be available for pre-order in the UK come midnight tonight, with limited discount prices for those that get in early.

This European version, called Windows 7 E will ship on October 22nd and will come without the company’s latest IE 8 web browser in a move to appease European competition officials. The latest incarnation of their Windows OS will include however, the much anticipated touchscreen gesturing abilities built-in – though you’ll need a touchscreen display in order to take advantage of them.

Microsoft’s Windows 7 E will also require a clean install (no updates this time ’round) so you’ll want to back everything up (including your browser) before installing it.

Available from midnight tonight (12:01am to be precise) at Amazon.co.uk, the new OS will come in three versions: Windows 7 Home Premium (£49.99), Windows 7 Professional (£99.99) and Windows 7 Ultimate – which doesn’t appear to be eligible for the discounts and should retail for around £229.

Sources:
Microsoft Windows 7 Pre-Order Offer and Amazon.co.uk
Thanks to Rob and Joe for the tip.