WordPress 3.3 is expected to be released at the end of November.
The first beta was released last week and I installed it (not on this site) and have spent some time playing around with it.
Here are some of the upcoming features to look forward to in the next version of WordPress.
The Features
Admin Pointers
Tool tips have been added to the admin area that provide information about a new feature and that provides a link to the WordPress forums to leave feedback.
Rearranged Admin Bar
Items have been rearranged in the admin bar and links to the WordPress forums and Codex haven been included. The admin bar also now shows up in the Admin area as well as the front of your site when you are logged in. Personally, I am not a fan of the admin bar and have disabled it on this site but I do know that a lot of people really like it.
Fly Out Menus
The left side navigation will include fly out menus when you hover over an item. In the screenshot below, hovering over Appearance shows the items listed within the Appearance area.
Media Uploader
Media upload buttons have been consolidated into one button – finally! I always used the first one for whatever type of media I was uploading because they all worked the same. I think this will be a lot less confusing for new users too.
I think the most popular feature of WordPress 3.3 will be the drag and drop media uploader. Drag and drop an image into the uploader window and your image is added. You can still upload images the old way by clicking on the Select Files button. This feature will not work with old versions of IE.
Are you looking forward to this update? Overall, it’s not that exciting but the media uploader is very cool.
photo credit: 30645510@N04
Hi Kim,
I love working with WordPress, but they update too often and with too many things each time. I have enough to learn the last update, but this time I look forward to the update on the tool side.
Hi Marbella – It does seem like they update too often – especially when there are a lot of patches. Fortunately, the last release has only had one patch.
Thanks for the preview! Drag and Drop files will indeed be a welcome addition. And the consolidated media button will be as well…thanks for pointing out that they all do the same thing now anyway. I didn’t realize that until reading your article. Make it a great day Kim!
Hi Rick – The upload buttons are funny – you can use the first one to upload an image, pdf, etc … And I think the drag and drop uploader is going to be great!
Wanna say thanks for that preview! Drag and Drop files will indeed be described as a welcome addition. As well as the consolidated media button will be as well…thanks for pointing out which they all do the same thing now anyway. I didn’t understand that until reading your article.
Hi Jackie – The new media uploader is going to be a great addition.
I like the idea of the admin pointers, especially when I am just getting to know this new version. Hopefully it can be disabled once I know what I am doing. Rearranging the admin bar sounds like it may be a bit of an annoyance for me since I will have trouble finding this for a little while. Sounds like they finally got the Media Uploader right. Anyhow thanks for the WordPress 3.3 preview Kim.
Hi Robert – I’m looking forward to the new version – even for some of the features that I don’t use. :-)
I’ve been contemplating switching my website to a wordpress theme, but have been reluctant of the learning curve. I know, WordPress is supposedly easy to use, but it’s new to me. That being said, I’m glad I came upon your post – very helpful. Is it easy to upload video clips?
HI Kathleen – It’s easy to embed or link to video clips on sites like youtube. If you are uploading your own videos, you would want to use a plugin like TubePress or WordTube.