B&H Gear News Roundup: January 17, 2014

This week in the news: Adobe released a major update for Photoshop CC, which added a new perspective manipulation tool and the ability to use 3D printers; Sakar revealed the Vivitar IU680 smartphone-friendly camera system; Roland is producing a new drum machine that aims to be a follow-up to the classic TR-808; and Fujifilm is offering new handgrip accessories for the X-Pro1 and the X-E2 cameras.

This is your B&H Gear News Roundup for January 17, 2014. Follow us on Twitter for the latest news as it breaks.

You Can Now Make 3D Prints with Photoshop CC

A major update to Adobe Photoshop CC was released this week, which added the ability to create prints with a 3D printer. With the update installed, it's possible to send prints from Photoshop to a local 3D printer in your home or studio, or send them to a third-party 3D printing service called Shapeways, where you can create larger objects with a variety of materials and finishes. The update also includes a powerful new image manipulation tool called Perspective Warp, which enables you to correct issues with perspective distortion, which can be problematic when shooting with a wide-angle lens. For more information on this substantial update, check out this B&H blog post, which includes two videos that outline the new features.

The Smartphone-Ready Vivitar IU680

Image courtesy of digitalcamera.jp

The Japanese website digitalcamera.jp reported on an interesting new camera from Sakar, called the Vivitar IU680. The idea behind the system is similar to the Sony QX series of cameras. It's essentially a lens which incorporates most of the functionality of a complete digital camera, which you can physically attach to a smartphone and control via Wi-Fi. What makes it different from Sony's offerings is that the lenses are interchangeable; however, not in the traditional sense. Each of the lenses appears to also house a sensor, which is very similar to an Android-based camera system that Sakar showed at CES 2102. The new Vivitar IU680 is also designed to operate with an external flash, which is pictured above.   

Roland Has a Replacement for the TR-808

Without question, the original Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer is one of the most well-known and beloved drum machines of all time, and this week, after decades of silence, Roland announced that they're finally designing and building its successor. Not much is known about the mysterious device at this time, aside from its name: Aira. If you want to learn more about it, the only thing you can do is watch the teaser video that was published earlier this week; however, it's pretty light on facts and hard details.

New Handgrips for the Fujifilm X-Pro1 and X-E2

Two new handgrips are on their way from Fujifilm: the MHG-XPro, which was designed for the X-Pro1, and the MHG-XE, which is for the X-E2 digital camera. Both of the new grips do not impede access to the removable batteries and memory card slots of the cameras. You can swap out either without removing the grips. They also provide a tripod thread on the base that's aligned with the center of the lens, and they're compatible with Arca-Swiss tripod heads.

More news:

• Netflix picked up its first Oscar nomination for the documentary film entitled The Square. Read more about it at Engadget.
• The Beats Music streaming service was announced, and it will feature playlists that were curated by humans. Read more about it at Wired.
• Roland has a new workstation keyboard called the FA06. You can watch a detailed hands-on review video at Sonic State.

And that's your news for January 17, 2014.