We're still in the process of connecting a few of the pieces of the site together, so please bear with us throughout the soft-launch as we finish bringing this new generation to life. If you encounter any issues browsing the site or accessing the items on Your Account please be sure to send feedback our way to let us know. There are extensive changes everywhere you look, and we'll be explaining much of it over the coming days here on the Studio Blog. This is just the first of the surprises we have in store for you this week - stay tuned :)

Last Week, Apple announced a complete refresh of the iPod line, upgrading the 3rd Generation Nano to video capability and adding the new iPod Touch to the lineup. While we haven't yet been able to test our EP Edition themes on all of the new devices, we're already getting a lot of questions about how the EP Edition themes will work on these new models, so we thought we'd let you in on what we know thusfar. The iPod Classic and new 3rd Generation Nano use the same screen format as the original 5th Generation iPod Video - so the EP Edition - iPod formats will work with all 3 devices. Output to television has migrated to a dock-connector only connection, requiring a new cable for any of the new devices. Component video is a new option with this setup, but we'll need to perform additional testing before we know how that will impact tv-based display of any of the EPs. The iPod Touch uses the same screen dimensions as the iPhone, with a very minor increase in DPI. While this model doesn't ship until later this month, our current assumption is that the current iPhone-optimized EP Editions will work interchangeable with the iPod Touch. We're getting conflicting information regarding TV-out capability on the Touch (and if it will be enabled on the iPhone as well) - we'll address this once we have the new device in-hand for further testing.

Tokyo RPG has been completely overhauled in the transition to Keynote '08, producing a new generation of the Tokyo RPG themes that are even easier to use and customize than the original release - all at a fraction of the filesizes of the original. Now built entirely with native shape objects and placeholders, you can change the soft electric background to a tinted variation, gradient or another photo altogether with a simple change on the Appearance Inspector - even change the color accents on the master slides to better match your corporate palette, or create your own layout variations thanks to the ease of the new shape object approach. If you're a registered user of the original Tokyo RPG theme, you can upgrade to Tokyo RPG '08 Pro or the new Pro+Mobile Edition at a reduced cost - Click on Your Account in the main toolbar to log in - Upgrade Options that are available to you will be listed. Users of the original Tokyo RPG theme have been updated to Tokyo RPG '08 Standard Edition - log into Your Account at any time to download the update.

The Pavilion theme has been expanded in the transition to Keynote '08 - up to 46 Master Slides in the Pro/HD versions, including more variations on your favorite layouts from the original, and a range of new layout options designed to make the theme even more flexible. New Multi-Row and Multi-Column slides make comparison or directory-style slides a snap, and the new "Blank - Photo" master lets you use photography in place of the posted glass for an even more customized approach. If you're a registered user of the original Pavilion theme, you can upgrade to Pavilion '08 Pro or the new Pro+Mobile Edition at a reduced cost - Click on Your Account in the main toolbar to log in - Upgrade Options that are available to you will be listed. Users of the original Pavilion theme have been updated to Pavilion '08 Standard Edition - log into Your Account at any time to download the update. Users of the original Pavilion EP theme have been updated to Pavilion '08 EP Edition (including iPhone version) - log into Your Account at any time to download the update.

The new Pavilion '08 has landed, and with it the first of our expanded EP Editions including iPhone optimized themes. Existing EP edition themes will get the iPhone treatment during their next regular update cycle, but for now, hit the EP Themes page to grab a Pavilion '08 EP demo Quicktime you can sample directly on your iPhone.

Our new Pro+Mobile Editions give you the ultimate in presentation flexibility: from standard and HD presentations to iPod and now iPhone (select Editions) presentations on the go. Pro+Mobile Editions are now available for Pavilion '08, Sonoma 2, OM 2 and Palo Alto 2 - with more on the way. When available, Pro+Mobile will be a standard upgrade option just like Pro/Producer Editions are now - just log in to Your Account to see your available Upgrade options.

A new version of iWork has arrived, bringing updated versions of Keynote, Pages and a new spreadsheet application called Numbers. An initial Upgrade Report has been posted, and it's all good news thusfar. We'll provide updates the Upgrade Report in the coming weeks as more information is available.

The PitchBoards themes have extensively updated for Keynote 3: background and layout refinements make your PitchBoards presentations look better than ever, and from there we expanded on the Master Slides - now up to 58 masters altogether in the Pro/Producer Editions - including Reflection-optimized slides for a more free-form look, and new 2/3 Column slides in the HD themes to provide a structured, shot-specific alternate to the Scene Slides. The Supplemental Materials have been expanded to include additional color options for the Zoom Overlays, along with Aspect Ratio Overlay masking shapes - designed to be used in conjunction with the new Reflection-optimized slides - keeping even your free-placed imagery locked to the aspect ratio you're targeting. PitchBoards 3 HD, available exclusively in the PitchBoards 3 Pro and Producer Editions, expands the style into HD format with 16:9 and 16:10 versions of PitchBoards 3 optimized specifically for HD presentations. If you're a registered user of PitchBoards 1 or 2, you can upgrade to PitchBoards 3 Producer or Pro Editions at a reduced cost - Click on Your Account in the main toolbar to log in - Upgrade Options that are available to you will be listed. Users of PitchBoards Classic (all previous versions) have been updated to PitchBoards Classic 3 - log into Your Account at any time to download the update. Users who purchased PitchBoards Pro or Producer 2 after January 1, 2007 have been updated to version 3 at no charge - Click on Your Account in the main toolbar to log in when you're ready to download.

We're pleased to announce an update to our KeyStation themes. The KeyStation 2 themes have been expanded in the transition to Keynote 3 - up to 58 master-slides in the Pro/HD versions, including more variations on your favorite layouts from the original, and a range of new layout options designed to make the theme even more flexible. Color has been retouched throughout, with the entire theme moving to a deeper, richer-hued backing blue with softer contrasting chart fills. The edge overlay of the original has been migrated from a stark black to a softer transitional gray, with a crisp edge pushing the entire center panel forward. KeyStation 2 HD, available exclusively in the KeyStation 2 Pro Edition, expands the style into HD format with 16:9 and 16:10 versions of Sonoma 2 optimized specifically for HD presentations, now in sizes up to 1920x1080. Registered users of the original KeyStation Themes can update to KeyStation 2 for free by logging onto the website at www.keynotepro.com, where they can also upgrade their copy of KeyStation Standard Edition to the Pro (HD) Edition at a reduced cost.

Two more of your favorite KeynotePro Themes have been optimized for export + use with the Fifth Generation iPod with Video: Palo Alto 2 EP Edition brings the bright, modern approach of the original to the iPod video with a clean, business-casual aesthetic - equally at home with shareholder reports and abstract art. Sonoma 2 EP Edition extends the newly released Sonoma 2 theme to the iPod Video with classic styling and a color-neutral framework designed to propel imagery, color and type forward while maintaining a consistent, structured feel.

We're pleased to announce an update to our best-selling Sonoma theme. Sonoma 2 is optimized for Keynote 3, with expanded master slide options, all-new layouts and eye-catching HD versions optimized for high-definition display/projection. Sonoma 2 Standard Edition is a free upgrade for all registered Sonoma users - registered users can also upgrade to the Sonoma 2 Pro Edition for only $9 by logging into your account and selecting the Upgrade tab at the top of your Account Manager.

A new article from Barbara Gibson details the role Keynote played in the production of Al Gore's new film "An Inconventient Truth," providing an insightful look into how Keynote became an integral tool in their workflow (and un-mentioned star of the show). Well worth the read...

By popular demand, we've introduced Pro Edition Bundles to the site. Like the Standard Edition Bundles, you can select 3 Pro Edition themes to bundle into a purchase together for only $74.95 - over $10 USD in savings over their individual purchase price. All Pro Edition theme pages have been updated with the additional option, so if you're looking to stock up themes, you can go pro for less dough.

We're pleased to announce a complete update to our best-selling Palo Alto theme. Palo Alto 2 is optimized for Keynote 3, with a comprehensive Platform-style rework of the original framework to make it even more flexible than the original. Palo Alto 2 includes a host of new master slide options as well as HD versions available in the new Palo Alto 2 Pro Edition. Palo Alto 2 Standard Edition is a free upgrade for all registered Palo Alto users - registered users can also upgrade to the Palo Alto 2 Pro Edition for only $9 by logging into your account and selecting the Upgrade tab at the top of your Account Manager.

Apple has released updates to both Keynote 3 and Pages 2 via Software Update - moving both to a 0.1 release. Initial testing confirms the Bullet Text Indent issue with Keynote 1.x themes has been fixed, so those should now operate in Keynote 3.0.1 without manual tweaking. The Quartz Composer elements from KeyStation Eclipse still require the noted workaround, though. We'll conduct further testing and post additional notes here as we have them.

We're pleased to announce the release of OM for Pages. The OM templates for Pages, like their Keynote counterparts, blend classic print styling with a crisp and soothing framework, creating a defined structure around the interplay of color and accent. The OM for Pages template packs are now available in a Standard Edition and an expanded Pro Edition including extended variations on the standard brochures, along with additional templates for Newletter and Poster projects. OM for Pages requires Pages 2.0 or higher.

Our OM EP Edition theme has been updated to OM 2 EP Edition - bringing the changes put into play during the OM > OM 2 migration into the EP Edition. OM 2 EP has expanded to 30 Master slides, with expanded photo and mosaic slide options in the mix. OM 2 EP Edition is a free upgrade for all registered OM EP Edition users - simply log into your account to download. OM 2 EP Edition requires Keynote 3.0 or higher.

Sonoma for Pages has been updated to Version 1.1: an updated, Pages 2 release. Sonoma for Pages 1.1 now includes a completely overhauled framework, discarding the Platform approach of the original release for a lighter-weight, faster build including smaller file sizes and support for Mail Merge functions in Pages 2. Sonoma for Pages Version 1.1 is a free upgrade for all registered Sonoma for Pages users - simply log into your account to download. Sonoma for Pages Version 1.1 required Pages 2.0 or higher.

Thanks to KeynoteUser's Ken Drake for forwarding a bit of news from the Apple Support forums: a user has discovered that movie clips placed on a master slide will play as expected in Keynote 3 without a controller. This requires a bit more digging than the standard on-slide placement, but we've tested + confirmed this works. For KeyStation Eclipse presenters who want to migrate to Keynote 3 - from the View Menu, select View Master Slides - on each slide you'll be using the Composer clip on, handle your placement + settings on the Master in question - it will then appear on each slide using that master without the controller being visible. This should allow you to move your Eclipse presentations into Keynote 3 until Apple issues a definitive fix.