June 2010: 2.0 Platform Preview, PA.c Launcher, New Format, New Apps and More

Welcome to the June 2010 edition of the PortableApps.com Newsletter. We delayed the mailing a few days to give you a peek at what you've been waiting for: the PortableApps.com Platform 2.0. We'll also be covering the brand-new PortableApps.com Launcher which allows developers, publishers and advanced users to make apps portable without writing a single line of code. And we'll go over the new 2.0 Format and Installer and highlight some new apps that have been released as well as a few to expect over the next few weeks. So let's get started!

IN THIS ISSUE:
1. PortableApps.com Platform 2.0 Preview
2. PA.c Launcher: Portablize Without Coding
3. PA.c Format/Installer 2.0
4. New Apps To Try
5. Upcoming Apps To Look Out For
6. 2.0 Platform Schedule

==== 1. PortableApps.com Platform 2.0 Preview ====

We've just posted an in-depth look at the upcoming PortableApps.com Platform 2.0 release for all to see. It includes details and screenshots of the new PortableAPps.com Updater (which automatically updates all your portable apps to the latest versions), the new theming engine (with 30+ themes, light/dark styles, user-selectable color schemes and aero styles), portable fonts, categories, updated branding and lots more. You can check it out in our new blog here:
https://portableapps.com/node/24104

==== 2. PA.c Launcher: Portablize Without Coding ====

After months of work, we're proud to announce the official public release of the PortableApps.com Launcher 2.0. This launcher includes the functionality and features of over 200 different portable software launchers all contained in a powerful package that is configurable with a simple text file. Now developers, publishers and advanced users can portablize nearly any application without needing to write a single line of code. You can learn more and read the release notes here:
https://portableapps.com/news/2010-06-30_-_portableapps.com_launcher_2.0

A big thank to Chris Morgan for all his work in bringing the launcher to life as well as to Mark Sikkema (aka Gringoloco), our newest addition to our development team, for his work on updating lots of existing code to support Unicode.

==== 3. PA.c Format/Installer 2.0 ====

In preparation for the 2.0 Platform release, we've updated the PA.c Format Spec and PA.c Installer to 2.0. This brings enhanced integration with the platform as well as the updater to the installer as well as improved visual branding that matches the new platform and upcoming website update. Both are available for open source and freeware apps as well as commercial software by contacting Portableapps.com. You can learn more in our development section:
https://portableapps.com/development

==== 4. New Apps to Try ====

Over the past few months, we've updated dozens of apps and launched a few new ones that are worth checking out. NSIS Unicode was launched, allowing devs to better handle multilingual apps. PChat Portable debuted, bringing a solid IRC client based on X-Chat to the mix (and developed by our own Zach Thibeau). Thunderbird was updated to 3.1, greatly improving message search abilities. New preview releases of Firefox 4 and Google Chrome 6 were released, letting users try out the features in these upcoming browsers without impacting your existing stable versions. Finally, based on popular demand, we've switched Audacity from the 'stable' release to the 'beta' release as it has more features, is quite stable and works better with Windows Vista and Windows 7. Try these out in our Portable App Directory:
https://portableapps.com/apps

==== 5. Upcoming Apps To Look Out For ====

We're working with even more developers on portablizing their own apps now. KVIrc just released version 4.0 and we'll be debuting the portable version later today. We'll also be debuting some of the most popular password management and Outlook sync software in PortableApps.com Format for the first time in the near future.

==== 6. Platform 2.0 Release Schedule ====

The next beta of the 2.0 Platform, beta 5, will be released in the next 10 days. The final release of the 2.0 Platform will follow later in July along with updates to our website to enhance community participation and better enable translations. Stay tuned for all the details by subscribing to our RSS feed, following us on Twitter, following us on Facebook or staying subscribed to our newsletter!

Well, that brings this month's newsletter to a close. Stay tuned (or subscribed, actually) for even more great software next month. And don't forget to join us on Facebook and Twitter.

- Your friends at PortableApps.com

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