Photo Story 3

Microsoft has released Photo Story 3 for Windows XP, the newest version of the digital photo slideshow application that was previously part of the Plus! Digital Media Edition add-on pack for Windows XP. The software is available free for download to anyone with a 'genuine copy' of Windows XP.

The application has a easy interface for turning your photos into animated videos, which can include music, voice-over narration, text, and visual effects. Some new functionality includes:

• Fundamental photo editing tools for color correction, red-eye retouching, and image rotating and cropping.
• You can create more nuanced effects such as rendering a photograph as a watercolor, as a negative, or in sepia tone.
• Templates that can be sent by e-mail to compatible devices that support these formats, such as Microsoft Portable Media Centers, Pocket PCs, and Windows-based Smartphones.
• And much more.

Check out the Photo Story 3 web site for examples, details, and tips.

Note: This software requires Windows XP, DirectX 9.0c, and Windows Media Player 10 to be able to use it.