Google puts photo management in the frame

Google has released version two of its free photo management tool to allow people to share digital pictures online.

Picasa 2 includes basic image manipulation, customised printing sizes, captioning tools and code to allow pictures to be shared via email or over peer-to-peer networks.

The software also offers a module that communicates with companies that will print the photos professionally, such as Ofoto and Walmart.

Picasa 2 can be used to burn photos onto CDs and DVDs and prepare photo slideshows that can be sent as gifts.

"With Picasa 2, we've made it easier for people to find, organise, improve and enhance their photographs, as well as create photo CDs, personalised slideshows, desktop collages and much more," said Lars Perkins, general manager at Picasa.

The software is available for users of Windows 98 and above, but is only available in English. Picasa 2 can be downloaded here.