Sometimes we tend to forget that Apple is not just the company which produces iPhones and iPods, but they are behind some interesting software applications. For example today, Aples unveiled Aperture 2, the latest version of its photo editing and management software.

Based on Apple's next-generation RAW image processing, Aperture 2 offers uncompromising image quality and precision controls that let users fine-tune the image profile for each of their cameras.

Aperture 2 brings  new imaging tools for highlight recovery, color vibrancy, local contrast definition, soft-edged retouching, vignetting and RAW fine-tuning, and lets users directly post their portfolios on the .Mac Web Gallery for viewing on the web, iPhone, iPod touch and Apple TV.

According to Apple, Aperture 2 offers a new, better use interface that, amongst other things, lets users navigate between Viewer and Browser modes with a single key command. The All Projects view, modeled after iPhoto's Events view, provides a poster photo for every project and the ability to quickly skim through the photos inside, and the integrated iPhoto Browser offers direct access to all the events and images in the iPhoto library.

Apple also enhanced the program to faster to import, browse and search large volumes of images. Embedded previews let photographers caption, keyword and rate images as they are being imported, and with the ability to export images in the background, photographers can continue working while images are processed to JPEG, TIFF, PNG and PSD file formats.

Aperture 2 offer tools like Recovery for pulling back "blown" highlights, Vibrancy for selectively boosting saturation without adversely affecting skin tones, Definition, which offers local contrast for adding clarity to images and a true soft-edged Repair and Retouch brush for quickly and easily removing blemishes, cleaning up sensor dust and cloning away problem areas.

Aperture 2 is available immediately for a suggested retail price of $199 Apple Store, Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. Those who already own the previous version will have to pay only $99 for the upgrade.