FrozenPlain has released Arctic Strings: Mirage, a sample instrument design for creating realistic string backdrops and chords. Included are 42 presets featuring both realistic ways of using strings, as well as diverse sound design.
It was previously available as a Kontakt library and is now also available inside Mirage (FrozenPlain's free VST/AU sampler engine). Owners of the Kontakt version can get this version for free.
Price: $35.