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In truth, the new versions are relatively minor updates on their predecessors, with the user interfaces of both looking remarkably similar to their predecessors.

Photoshop Elements 7 includes a smattering of new features, including a selection of new quick fixes that instantly whiten teeth, improve skin tones and add colour to lifeless skies in landscapes.

Perhaps the most useful new feature is the Scene Cleaner, which removes strangers who've inadvertently walked into the background of photos, for example. This is achieved by using two photos of the same scene, which the software uses to automatically replace the intruder with the cleaner background.

The software also includes a new selection of "Guided Edits", which Adobe describes as "Macros for Photoshop". These basically walk users through the steps required to perform certain tasks. Users can save their own Guided Edit processes and share them

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with others.

Premiere Elements 7

Premiere Elements 7 also focuses on improved automated tasks. One new feature includes Smart Tagging, which automatically splits imported footage into different scenes and gives them descriptions (such as "in focus", "too light" or "faces") to aid the selection of clips for the final edit.

The Smart Tags are unable to identify different people or locations at this stage, but Adobe claims it could come in future releases. "This is the first year we've had smart tagging, but this is definitely an area where we feel we're scratching the surface," Mike Iampietro, senior product manager at Adobe told PC Pro.

Premiere Elements 7 also includes a selection of Instant Movies, that automatically style video footage according to certain preset themes. A Sports Instant Movie, for example, will select largely fast-moving action scenes, with quick cuts and a thumping music background.

Pricing and availability

Photoshop Elements 7 and Premiere Elements 7 will both ship in late September, priced at £59 each or £49 for those upgrading from previous versions. The pair can be bought together in a bundle for £89, or £75 for those upgrading from the previous bundle.

Click here to find out what happened to Premiere Elements 5 and 6.