The major new features, according to a Mozilla spokesperson, are:
- Message tagging -- users can organize emails by assigning tags like "From Mom" or "Weekend Projects" to easily track and search for information; users can choose from default tags -- such as Important, Personal, To-Do, Later, and Work -- or create their own custom tags; users can also add as many tags as they want to a message
- Message history – Thunderbird 2 offers message history navigation similar to Web browsing history navigation; users can move backward and forward through their messages and easily browse through their message history
- Search -- the find-as-you-type pane speeds up searches within displayed messages, and a quick search feature starts showing search results as soon as users begin typing search terms; additionally, Thunderbird 2 saves users time by allowing the storing of searches as folders and facilitating the rerun of saved searches by clicking on the saved search folder in the folder pane
- Easy access to Web mail services -- Thunderbird 2 lets users integrate and access popular Web mail services simply by entering their user names and passwords
- Customization -- users can customize Thunderbird 2 with hundreds of free add-ons that change the look, feel, and functionality of the email client to suit their tastes; users can also create their own message templates to save time
- Visual theme -- Thunderbird 2's theme and user interface have been updated to improve usability and maximize screen real estate
Thunderbird 2 boasts an updated look and feel
(Click for larger view) - Advanced folder views -- customize the folder pane to show favorite, unread or recent folders
- Updates to the extension system -- the extension system has been updated to provide enhanced security and to allow for easier localization of extensions
Mozilla provides Thunderbird 2 for Linux, Windows, and Mac OS X in a variety of languages. You can download Thunderbird 2 here.
Some additional screenshots, and an evaluation of Thunderbird 2 Beta 1 by DesktopLinux.com columnist Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols, are available here.
Related stories:
- First Thunderbird 2 release candidate emerges
- Thunderbird 1.5.0.10 security, bugfix update released
- Mozilla unleashes Thunderbird 2 Beta 2
- Mozilla betas Thunderbird 2.0
- Mozilla issues Firefox, Thunderbird security patches
- Thunderbird hatches version 2 test release
- Mozilla's Thunderbird 1.5.0.4 flies forth
- Keeping Thunderbird from breaking
