Wednesday 28 September 2011


NCH Software Launches Express Invoice in the UK

‘The Complete Invoicing and Billing System for Mac and Windows users’


Southampton, UK, 26th September 2011; NCH Software, leading provider of audio, video, business, telephony and other software utilities worldwide has announced the UK launch of Express Invoice.

Express Invoice allows you to create and manage invoices and track payments from absolutely anywhere. The web access mode enables you to generate invoices from a portable device whilst on the road which means quick efficient and easy invoice creation. The web interface also allows other users from within the organisation to access data and create invoices.

Easily generate up to the minute statements for each of your clients at a moment’s notice, and track your clients’ payments accurately to send automatic remainders if payment is overdue. With features that allow support multiple businesses and user, Express Invoice is the only invoicing and billing system you will need.

Features:
·         Automate recurring invoices
·         Email or fax invoices directly from the application
·         Save or send invoices as PDF files
·         Run multiple businesses from within the same program
·         Automatically send statements to customers with overdue payments
·         Supports multiple users with web access mode
·         Web interface allows other users within the organisation to access data and create invoices
·         Web interface enables connections from mobile devices including iPhones
·         Generate reports for accounting, by salesperson, unpaid invoices and more
·         Configure the layout of invoices including the invoice title, alignment, font size, foot comment and logo

Supports:
·         Windows 7/Vista/XP
·         Mac OSX 10.2 or higher

Availability:

NCH Express Invoice is available at Play.com and Amazon from MSRP £39.99

Tuesday 27 September 2011


honestech Film Scan&Save™

honestech Film Scan&Save™ preserves your memories by converting your old film negatives into digital formats.


Honestech, Inc., a leading developer and marketer of digital video and Internet Protocol (IP) software technology for multimedia content has released honestech Film Scan&Save™ which allows you to scan your photo negatives and slides, and save them in digital formats.  Your precious memories on your old photo negatives can deteriorate or be forgotten over time.  honestech Film Scan&Save™ will help you convert them into digital formats that can be burned to CD or DVD, stored, organized and more easily shared. 

Priced at MSRP £79.99, honestech Film Scan&Save™ is a standalone film scanner with a 5 megapixel CMOS image sensor and 32MB internal memory.  honestech Film Scan&Save™ supports both photo negatives and 35mm photo slides.  The built-in preview screen allows you to view the image in real-time as you scan the photo negatives.  The film scanner will automatically adjust the brightness and other settings to give you the best possible image quality.  The scanned images are in high quality up to 10megapixel (3648x2432) and 1,800dpi format and can be saved on SD/SDHC/MMC card or the built-in memory.  You can also connect the film scanner to your computer via USB cable or TV via the included composite cable to view the scanned images instantly.

Price and Availability:

honestech Film Scan&Save is available at £79.99 from PC World and Amazon.


Thursday 15 September 2011

Ricoh Announces the GR Digital IV

A digital camera offering enhanced Quick Shooting capability and image quality with a Hybrid AF System and GR ENGINE IV

Tokyo, Japan, September 15, 2011—Ricoh Co., Ltd. (President and CEO: Shiro Kondo) today announces the development and release of the GR DIGITAL IV digital camera, the successor model to the GR DIGITAL III, which offers enhanced Quick Shooting capability and image quality. 

The GR DIGITAL III (released in August 2009) was a compact digital camera with high image quality that came with a 28mm/F1.9 GR Lens, the GR ENGINE III, and a high-sensitivity CCD that continued the evolution of the concepts originally introduced in the first GR DIGITAL model (released in October 2005). In the two years since its release, it has been enthusiastically received by a broad range of customers including professional and amateur photographers.

The new GR DIGITAL IV, featuring a new image engine and a refined optical filter, exceeds the GR DIGITAL III and achieves the highest level of image quality in the history of the GR series.

Additionally, for the advancement of the Quick Shooting capabilities required to make sure you never miss a shot when out shooting, Ricoh has introduced a Hybrid AF System and an Image-sensor-shift Image Stabilization Function, which makes use of Ricoh's independently developed external AF sensor, and a 3-inch, approximately 1.23 million-dot VGA LCD monitor for heightened outdoor visibility. The addition of an electronic level that can detect inclination in the tilt direction, as well as the conventional horizontal direction also improves operability. Moreover, the inclusion of Dynamic Range Compensation makes it possible to shoot subjects in backlit or high-contrast scenes in the way the eye sees them, and Interval Composite, which can combine images shot at a certain shooting interval, advances the camera's expressive capabilities.

Ricoh will also continue to provide the highly praised function-expansion firmware.

Pricing:

GR Digital IV Black   £499.99  
GR Digital IV White   £499.99   
Hand Strap GS2      £17.90
Metal Lens Cap GL1   £17.90


Main Features of the GR DIGITAL IV

1.      Improved AF speed and accuracy due to the introduction of the Hybrid AF system
The camera comes newly equipped with Ricoh's independently developed external AF sensor, which has a maximum of 190 AF points. Through the Hybrid AF System, which is used in parallel with the conventional CCD contrast AF, Ricoh has realized an AF focusing time as short as 0.2 seconds, as much as half that of the GR DIGITAL III.
Also, algorithm refinements have led to improvements in the AF speed for macro shots that are taken using only the CCD contrast AF method for a maximum reduction of half the time of the previous model.

  In shooting with a single press of the shutter-release button, the high focusing accuracy required for snapshot shooting has been added to the camera's Quick Shooting capabilities by performing the metering with only the external AF sensor. The metering information from the external AF sensor can be displayed on the LCD monitor as necessary.
2.     Even higher image quality achieved
  Through refinements to the optical filter and optimization of the image processing from the previous model, the GR DIGITAL III, the SFR* characteristics have been improved.
  With the new image processing engine, the GR ENGINE IV, color reproduction enhancement and color noise reductions are achieved when taking high-sensitivity photographs.
  Ricoh's signature 28mm/F1.9 GR lens demonstrates its high resolution while suppressing chromatic aberration and distortion. The approximately 10 million-pixel, 1/1.7-inch CCD shows off its high-sensitivity characteristics. These are the elements through which the GR DIGITAL IV achieves the highest image quality in GR DIGITAL history.  
*Spatial Frequency Response (SFR): One of the indicators of a digital camera's resolution characteristics, including everything from the optical system to the image processing.

3.      Comes with the first image-sensor shift image stabilization function in the GR DIGITAL series
With the image-sensor shift image stabilization function, the GR DIGITAL IV achieves a stabilization effect equivalent to a shutter speed increase of a maximum of 3.2 stops*, which combined with the fast F1.9 GR lens further increases the camera's ability to capture dark scenes.

*Measured using RICOH measurement methods.

4.     Introduction of a new, high-brightness LCD monitor and the addition of an automatic brightness adjustment function
  Through the introduction of the new 3-inch, approximately 1.23 million-dot VGA LCD monitor, which adds white pixels to the RGB ones, the GR DIGITAL IV secures a maximum brightness of approximately 1.7 times that of the GR DIGITAL III, improving its visibility when outdoors.
  A function in which the camera automatically adjusts the luminance to match the brightness of the subject has been added, which minimizes decreases in visibility due to changes in the shooting environment.

5.     Shooting functions that heighten the photographer's expressive ability and enhanced scene modes
Comes with dynamic range compensation to minimize the effects of blown highlights in bright areas and crushed blacks in dark ones. For backlit or high-contrast scenes where exposure compensation alone is not enough, compensation is performed for each area, enabling the photographer to take pictures at a brightness that closely matches how the subject looked.
The Auto Bracket function has been enhanced. In addition to the conventional Exposure and White Balance, Contrast Bracket Setting and Dynamic Range Compensation bracketing have been newly added, of which any two can be selected for addition to the image settings to record a sequence of three shots with Image Setting Bracket.
Comes with an Interval Composite mode that will replace and combine only the high-brightness pixel data in images of the night sky taken at fixed intervals. This makes it possible to shoot distinctive landscape pictures that show the trails of light left by the stars.
Positive Film and Bleach Bypass, which lowers saturation and increases contrast, have been added to the image settings. Along with settings like the existing High Contrast B&W and Cross Process, these can be used in each of the shooting modes (Auto/P/A/S/M).
Multiple exposure shooting, which makes it possible to shoot up to five overlapping shots, and bulb exposure functions have also been included.

6.      Already high operability heightened even further
Included since the GR DIGITAL II, the electronic level function has been enhanced. Now it can detect inclination in not only the horizontal direction, but also the tilt direction as well.
The function combinations that can be used with the Fn1/Fn2 buttons have been expanded to four settings that can be registered with the Fn Button Pair Setting. Because the user can switch between functions registered in the Fn Button Pair Setting without going into the menu screens, they serve as an easy shortcut, making it possible to change functions in an instant to match the scene being shot.
The My Settings function, which enables the user to register their preferred camera settings, have been expanded from types to 12 types. Better still, because the settings can be registered on an SD card, users can share their favorite settings amongst themselves.
Includes a function for working with Eye-Fi cards. Images taken can be wirelessly transferred to a computer or uploaded to a photo-sharing site. When these functions are in use, the transmission information will be displayed on the shooting and playback screens.

7.      An even broader range of expandability with new options
A genuine leather hand strap for excellent portability and handling and a metal lens cap that works with the lock function of the power button will be available as new options.

8.      Implementation of function expansions through firmware
The provision of function-expansion firmware, which has been highly praised from the GR DIGITAL to the GR DIGITAL III models, will continue with the GR DIGITAL IV. By updating the firmware, the camera can always use the latest functions.


<Customize service>

For those who purchase the GR Digital IV, the following customizing services are available.
Grip replacement service
You can change the grip to one of your own choosing by paying a fee; options include wood grain, carbon, and leather-styled grips (all synthetic resin products).
*This service is only available in some areas, with a limited supply of replacement grips.
Information on when the service will become available as well as the countries and regions where it will be available will be announced on Ricoh’s web site.










New Tick Tock™ Dock by Edifier®


Start the Day with this Alarm Clock Docking Station with FM Radio and Apple iPod and iPhone Input

London, UK, 15th September 2011, Edifier® International, prominent designer and manufacturer of high-end consumer audio electronics for both the lifestyle and multimedia market has unveiled the Tick Tock Dock.

Dock and set your alarm on your iPod/iPhone for a great start to your day with the retro-styled Tick Tock Dock alarm clock speaker system by Edifier. The two 360° degree omni-directional full range speakers allow for multi-directional rich sound that can be easily controlled using your docked iPod/iPhone for both playlist navigation, FM tuning and volume control. A pivoting iPod/iPhone dock allows users to hide the dock and use the clock, FM radio independently or other audio sources by connecting to the auxiliary input. When ready to dock or charge your iPod/iPhone, simply pivot the dock to the front and enjoy your favourite tunes. Waking up has never been easier, with 5 pre-set alarms, time synchronization with your iPhone, a selection of media options and day selective alarm for your weekend sleep in.

Main Features:
·         iPod and iPhone compatible docking stage
·         FM radio function (24 present channels) iPod and iPhone compatible docking stage
·         FM radio function (24 present channels)
·         Auxiliary 3.5mm input for additional audio connectivity
·         Alarm clock function with choice of audio output for iPod/iPhone, FM radio or auxiliary input
·         1½ inch omni-directional, full range speakers
·         5 available pre-set alarm options & iPhone time synchronization   
·         LCD display screen for FM/AUX/Alarm/Time/Date functions
·         Volume, track navigation, FM tuner, alarm settings and input selection controls
·         International FM radio frequency selection
Availability:

The Tick Tock Dock is available in Black, Silver, and Beige from Amazon at SRP £59.99 inc.


Wednesday 14 September 2011


Paragon Backup & Recovery 11 Home – the Essential PC Data Safety and Recovery Tool – Now Offers WinPE 3.0 in Addition to THREE Other Recovery Environments, Making it the Most Advanced System Recovery Software Available on the Market

 Easily and safely recover data from any source or environment with new flexible features. Includes new Adaptive Restore 3.0 and P2P adjustment at no additional charge!

FREIBURG, Germany, September 14, 2011 – Backup and recovery software developer Paragon Software Group today unveiled the new edition of Paragon Backup & Recovery 11 Home, the essential computer system backup and the strongest recovery software available on the market. In case of any data loss, this 11th edition allows PC users to recover their systems from four different emergency environments, such as WinPE 3.0, Linux, DOS or native Windows.
Paragon Backup & Recovery 11 Home is the most cost-effective solution available to home users. It includes the Paragon Adaptive Restore 3.0 feature to safely restore operating systems even on dissimilar hardware, a system migration tool for home Windows environments and P2P Adjustment as standard features. With Paragon Adaptive Restore 3.0, partitions or hard drives can easily be restored and checked if the system boots after migration. If not, the P2P Adjust OS Wizard can be used to adapt an operating system that has been transferred using other software or recovery methods.
The 11th edition of Paragon’s Backup & Recovery Home is the most reliable way to safeguard data with complete disk backup and restore functionality. With user-friendly handling of recovery procedures, Paragon Backup & Recovery 11 Home is not only effective at backing up data, but – more importantly – offers a convenient, comfortable way to restore the system from backup files, even on 2.2 Tb or larger hard drives or on Solid State Drives (SSDs), including the latest Advanced Format Drives (AFDs).
Key new features of Paragon Backup & Recovery 11 Home include:
     Latest WinPE 3.0 on boot disk – Future-proof backup and recovery software! Containing the Windows 7 Kernel and allowing users to add new drivers, the software guarantees the most reliable recovery process on the market now and in the future.
     Paragon Adaptive Restore 3.0 – Restore a system backup on completely different hardware, or migrate the operating system to a new computer and avoid time-consuming reinstallations of applications and reconfigurations of your operating system. Paragon Adaptive Restore analyzes which boot drivers are missing on the new hardware and helps install them to the migrated operating system.
P2P Adjust OS Wizard – Start up a Windows physical system on a different hardware platform (P2P) by allowing injection of all required drivers and the other actions crucial for this type of migration. Including the third generation of Paragon’s Adaptive Restore™ technology, it now can:
     Analyze all installed drivers inside a target system to report on devices without drivers.
     Search for and install any missing drivers from the built-in Windows repository.
     Notify the user about boot critical devices without drivers (HDD/RAID controllers, etc.), automatically prompting to provide a path to a driver repository.
     Name all devices according to their model description, not some alphanumeric code, which requires additional deciphering.
     Determine and install drivers not only for boot critical devices, but for physically connected NICs as well.

     Network support for WinPE 3.0 – Easily access backups directly from the Paragon recovery environment, or add network card drivers, if necessary.
     Support for hard drives bigger than 2.2 TB – Support for the latest generation of hard drives, including SSDs and AFDs, providing support for new GPT partition tables.
     MBR -> GPT conversion – Easily convert MBR-formatted hard drives to GPT without data loss.
     Superior write-operations by using asynchronous backup – Increased backup processing speeds, especially for backups on USB 3.0 external hard drives and on internal hard drives.
     Partition alignment for bare metal restore – When transferring partitions to a new hard drive, Paragon Backup & Recovery 11 Home enables the correct alignment and allows the device to deliver best performance, especially for misalignment issues of restored partitions arising from transfers from old 512-byte sector sizes to newer 4-kilobyte sized sectors.
     Encrypted Backup – Avoid unauthorized access to backup files with secure encryption.

Availability:
Paragon Backup & Recovery 11 Home is available for £29.95: http://www.paragon-software.com/home/brs/index.html
 Free editions of “express” tools are available at: http://www.paragon-software.com/free/
For corporate backup and disaster recovery solutions, please visit:  
http://www.drive-backup.com/