WinZip Computing, a Corel (NASDAQ:CREL) company,announced the availability of WinZip® 12.0, the latest version of the world’s leading compression software.New capabilities of WinZip 12.0 include industry-first JPEG Zip compression, a complete photo management and sharing solution, improved performance and compatibility and enhanced security options.

WinZip is sort of the Xerox/Kleenex of the compression world. While many geeks prefer alternate file compression utilities like 7-zip, TUGZip, or WinRar, you’re more likely to find WinZip installed on any given office computer. And with the launch of WinZip 12, the developers have shown that they still have a few tricks up their sleeves.

Probably the biggest changes in WinZip 12 have to do with its handling of image files. WinZip now has the ability to compress JPEG files by up to 25% without any quality loss. There’s also a new Zip from Camera Wizard that makes it easier to grab files directly from your digital camera without copying them to your hard drive first.

You can also edit images using the WinZip explorer window and send selected files via email or FTP with a click,as win zip12 intoduces lossless jpeg compression it squeezes your digital photo library down to size, as digital camera resolutions continue to accelerate skyward (Sony’s 24MP Alpha 900 will be the sharp-shooting star of this year’s Photokina show), Corel’s latest version of WinZip has some features to help you keep your photo library under control.

Features of WinZip 12.0………………..

Photo Compression, Management and Sharing

Compress Image Files –WinZip 12.0 compresses JPEG files by 20 to 25% without any loss of photo quality or data integrity. Smaller file sizes allow users to send photos faster and fit more on hard drives and removable media.

Transfer and compress photos directly from digital camera* - The new Zip from Camera Wizard (available in WinZip 12.0 Pro) makes it easy to transfer photos from a digital camera and compress them in a Zip file. For cameras that support orientation tags, WinZip 12.0 can also “auto-rotate” photos prior to compression so they are correctly oriented in the Zip file.

View and work with photos directly in WinZip – WinZip’s Explorer allows users to view thumbnails of each photo, then drag and drop their images into folders for better organization. WinZip Pro includes a full-sized image viewer to view slide shows, rotate, resize, or delete photos all without unzipping them.

Share photos with WinZip – WinZip 12.0’s enhanced Send feature makes it simple to share photos directly from WinZip. This is a fast and easy way to share pictures while reducing the required storage space and transfer time.

Improved Performance and Compatibility

Powerful new compression technology – WinZip 12.0 adds the powerful LZMA compression method to create the smallest Zip files yet using WinZip’s unique “Best” compression option.

Support for More Archive Formats – WinZip 12.0 adds support for 7Z archives, CD/DVD .ISO and .IMG disk image files to existing support for RAR, BZ2, CAB, LHA, Z, GZ, TAR, UUE, XXE, BinHex, Mime, and ZIP files.

Encryption Security Features

Set password complexity preferences – WinZip 12.0 adds a new password policy which allows you to customize encryption password requirements to achieve a desired password complexity.

Specify the types of encryption available – With WinZip 12.0 Pro, System Administrators can specify which encryption methods are available to each user and can disable the encryption features completely during MSI installation.

Improved User Experience

Logically display file contents with Smart View – The new content-sensitive Smart View makes it easier to see the contents of Zip files. Simply open a Zip file and WinZip 12.0 will choose the most appropriate viewing method.

More Compression Methods – The addition of WinZip’s new JPEG and LZMA compression methods to its existing PPMd, BZip2, Enhanced Deflate and WAVPack methods, WinZip offers improved compression performance for most file types.

More intuitive and informative – New features combined with the classic Job Wizard task-automation tool in WinZip Pro, to make WinZip 12.0 the simplest and most intuitive version of WinZip ever.

Pricing and Availability

WinZip 12.0 Standard is US$29.95, and WinZip 12.0 Pro is US$49.95. Attractive volume licensing discounts are available. Existing registered users can upgrade to WinZip 12.0 at 50% of the new license fee.

WinZip is certified for Windows® XP and Windows Vista®.

Download links and ordering information can be found on the WinZip web site at http://www.winzip.com.

About WinZip Computing

Founded in 1991, WinZip Computing was acquired by Corel Corporation in 2006. WinZip Computing continues to offer the world’s most popular Zip utility for Windows®, WinZip, along with WinZip® Self-Extractor and WinZip® E-Mail Companion. Download links and more detailed product information are available on the WinZip web site at www.winzip.com.