Version 1.0 of Microsoft's Kinect for Windows SDK and runtime were made available for download, and distribution partners in twelve launch countries are starting to ship Kinect for Windows hardware, enabling companies to start deploying their solutions. The suggested retail price is $249 US, and later this year, Microsoft plans to offer special academic pricing of $149 US for Qualified Educational Users. Since Beta 2, Kinect developers made many improvements to the SDK, including support for up to four Kinect sensors plugged into the same computer, improved skeletal tracking, Near Mode for the new Kinect for Windows hardware, which enables the depth camera to see objects as close as 40 centimeters in front of the device, and more. [source]

Audio software maker Native Instruments announced limited time price discounts of its TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 and STUDIO DRUMMER products. TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 - NI's professional 2-deck, all-in-one DJ system - is currently available for just $399 US / 399 EUR. The S2 brings together the design principles of the revolutionary TRAKTOR KONTROL S4 controller, the full TRAKTOR PRO 2 software and an innovative third channel for Sample Decks, giving you an incredible package at an unbelievable price. The price is valid until March 31, 2012. Virtual drums collection STUDIO DRUMMER is now sold for a bargain price: 50% off ($84.50 US / 74,50 EUR), only while stocks last. [source]

Blackmagic Design released Desktop Video 9.2 beta 1, a software update for its capture and playback products that adds broadcast monitoring support with the new Final Cut Pro X 10.0.3 update. Broadcast monitoring in Final Cut Pro X 10.0.3 allows video output to external monitors and other equipment using the SDI, HDMI or analog video outputs from Blackmagic Design video hardware. Desktop Video 9.2 beta 1 for Mac OS X is available for download now and is free of charge for all Blackmagic Design customers. This update includes support for all current DeckLink, Multibridge, Intensity and UltraStudio models. Get it from the Blackmagic's web site. [source]

Apple released Final Cut Pro X version 10.0.3, a significant update to its professional video editing application. Version 10.0.3 introduces Multicam Editing, which automatically syncs up to 64 angles of video and photos; advanced chroma keying for handling complex adjustments right in the app; and enhanced XML for a richer interchange with third-party apps and plug-ins. It also includes a beta version of Broadcast Monitoring that supports Thunderbolt devices as well as PCIe cards (more). Final Cut Pro X version 10.0.3 is available from the Mac App Store for $299.99 US to new users, or as a free update for existing Final Cut Pro X customers. [source]

E-on software, makers of 3D nature technologies, announced the immediate availability of LumenRT 2 Review, the second generation of the company's interactive visualization product for architectural projects with full physical lighting. The product, currently compatible with SketchUp, is being ported to other platforms. LumenRT 2 hoards a plentiful number of new features and enhancements, including complete physical simulation of light, physically accurate reflections, adjustable time of day, anti-aliasing and motion blur, soft shadows with varying softness, water and underwater effects, photo-realistic skies, and more. LumenRT 2 Review for SketchUp works with both the free and the Pro versions of SketchUp. LumenRT 2 Review for SketchUp retails for $195 US (introductory price, SRP is $295 US) and works in 32- or 64-bit versions of Windows XP, Vista and 7 as well as Intel Mac OS X (v10.6+). Users of the first generation of LumenRT Review for SketchUp are eligible for a free upgrade to LumenRT 2 until February 29, 2012. To support this major release, e-on software also publishes a free trial version of LumenRT 2 for Mac OS X and Windows, available now for download from try.lumenrt.com. [source]

Adobe Labs published the last beta of Flash Player 11.2 before its final release, as well as the accompanying beta 5 of AIR 3.2 runtime. Flash Player 11.2 for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X platforms adds multi-threaded video decoding; mouse lock, relative mouse coordinates, and right and middle click events for game development; Flash Player background updates (Windows only); a new ThrottleEvent dispatched by the stage when the Flash Player throttles, pauses or resumes content; and relaxed drivers gating (now 1/1/2008). The latest beta can be downloaded here. [source]

EditShare, specialists in shared media storage and video editing solutions, announced an updated version of EditShare Ark, their backup and archiving solution for Linux. The new Ark 2.1.3 release features numerous enhancements including a new user interface that displays extensive information about Ark system activity, support for additional tape loaders, and more options for configuring network interfaces to maximize performance across the EditShare tiered storage platform. The new release supports tape libraries from Quantum, Dell and Spectra Logic. The EditShare Ark v2.1.3 update is free to existing EditShare Ark v2 customers with a valid maintenance contract. [source]

Spanish developer Next Limit Technologies released a 2.6.1 patch for its unbiased 3D rendering engine Maxwell Render. Version 2.6.1 brings improved sub-surface scattering algorithms, multi-step motion blur for camera movements, speed optimizations, enhanced GUI (the ability to input simple math operations into numeric fields and more), improved SDK, several bug fixes, and more . [source]

iZotope's audio mastering plug-in suite Ozone 5.0 has been updated to version 5.0.2. The latest version adds improvements to IRC3, enhanced spectrogram functionality with better Meter Tap synchronization, fixes specific to Steinberg WaveLab 7.x, resolved delay compensation issue for sampling rates above 48 kHz and more. Download the free update here . [source]

Avid updated its flagship music production software Pro Tools 10.0 and Pro Tools HD 10.0. Version 10.0.1 is an officially qualified and recommended update for all users running Mac OS X 10.6.x, 10.7.x (Lion), and Windows 7, and solves numerous crashes and errors. For a full list of resolved issues, read the Pro Tools 10.0.1 Read Me for Mac OS X or Windows. This release does not support the HDX hardware. If using HD Native hardware, see k429831 to download the Avid NativeCardFlasher and update the HD Native card main and safe image firmware. [source]