14 DAY TRIAL // The Amarok team is happy to announce the much anticipated release of Amarok 2.0 Beta 1. Codenamed Nerrivik, this Beta version takes one step further towards the final 2.0 version, by bringing lots of improvements and new features like the scripting interface, new artwork, AFT and numerous bug fixes.
The scripting interface has evolved much, script authors exploring the new possibilities that are offered by QtScript, and is now in its final stages, although it could suffer some minor modifications.
The Amarok File Tracking (AFT) allows you to keep a large number of file related records, in order to provide access to playcounts, ratings and various types of information. This tool will be available in Amarok 2 and will be further developed in later releases. Also in this version, the interface has been improved considerably by new artwork and splash screen.
Here are some of the features brought by Amarok's first Beta version:
· Tracks can be edited inline in the Collection; · Album moves can be undone; · Moving grouped albums in the playlist by dragging the album header is now possible; · Track moves in the playlist can now be undone; · Gapless playback; · A new "fuzzy" bias type matching values loosely is now available; · Selected directories are showed by the automatic expansion of the Collection Setup; · File deletion and tag editing for MTP devices are available; · Added toolbox to context view; · It's now possible to select multiple playlist items; · The "Move to collection" functionality in file browser has been implemented; · Saving/loading of biased playlist; · Better script console; · Items have been set in directory selector in order to partially checked when relevant; · Album is now added to the playlist when clicked in Albums applet; · Middle-clicking systray icon leads to triggering play/pause; · Full cover support for Nepomuk collection; · When playing non local content the search in the local collection for albums to show in the album applet is enabled; · Context view state is saved on exit and restored on start up.
Some of the changes since the alpha 2 version:
· Filename scheme widget in the Organize Collection dialog has been replaced with a new one; · The new layout of the main toolbar uses the new graphics; · Memory usage has been greatly reduced when using dynamic playlists; · The layout and interface in the Guess Tags from Filenames dialog have been reworked and redesigned to be more intuitive; · New artwork; · The context view permits improved zooming animation; · The available space in the context view is put to better use.
For a full changelog please see the official announcement.
Download Amarok 2.0 Beta 1 or the latest stable version, 1.4.10, released a couple of days ago from Softpedia.