Brief: Apple Improves Imaging Software, Lowers Price

Apple updated its Aperture image-editing software and lowered its price to $299 on Thursday.

Aimed initially at professional photographers, the new lower price of Aperture 1.1 is expected to attract digital camera hobbyists, too, the firm indicated. The new release features improved RAW image rendering as well as new advanced RAW adjustment controls.

Apple said the new Aperture release operates on both the new Intel-based MACs and on Apple's traditional PowerPC machines.

The company said the new product has enhancements to several features including noise reduction, sharpening, highlight recovery, and decode setting tweaking.

Users who adopted the initial version of Aperture are eligible to apply for a $200 coupon redeemable at Apple outlets.