The Apple Store went down for a little bit today, and while we all got hopeful for a Core iX MacBook update, most of what Apple ended up delivering was the usual assortment of Valentine’s Day deals (and why not? An iPod gifted to a loved one usually lets you steal a base). But there was one significant new product to be had: Aperture 3, a significant 64-bt update that adds up to 200 new features to Apple’s pro photo software package.
Some of the more frivolous new features are the ones you’re already using in iPhoto ’09: face detection and tagging, along with direct Flickr and Facebook exporting. Others are entirely new: Brushes, for example, brings reversible and non-destructive painting to Aperture, including Photoshop stalwarts like dodge, burn, contrast and saturation curves.
Aperture 3 databases have also been written: you can now merge and sync libraries, which should make it easier for professionals to take their libraries on the road. Slideshows have also been significantly improved, integrating photos, audio, video and text into single files that can be exported to iTunes and played natively on the iPhone and iPod Touch.
Aperture 3 costs $200, although existing users can opt to pay $100 to upgrade. There’s also a 30-day free trial available.
