This Moom update is so chock full of goodness that it could have easily merited a full version increment. But given we just did that, we’ll hold back and just go with a “dot” increment this time.

So what will you get when you install the (free, of course) Moom 2.1 update? A bunch of really nice new features, including:

• The ability to save and restore window layouts. Have a layout you like a lot? Now you can save it with a simple button tap, and then restore it later via keyboard shortcut or Moom’s menus.
• Speaking of keyboard shortcuts, you can now create single-key shortcuts that are usable only when the keyboard bezel is onscreen. No more working hard to identify non-used global shortcuts; just type a single character in the shortcut box, and that shortcut will only work after you’ve first brought up Moom’s keyboard bezel. (A yellow background behind the single-key shortcuts helps you identify them at a glance—and they appear in the cheat sheet as well!)
• You can now use grid-based resizing in keyboard mode; just press the keyboard bezel activation shortcut a second time. (You have to enable it first, though, in the Keyboard section of Moom’s settings.)

There are some nice small touches, too. You can optionally highlight the window to be adjusted (via a user-settable slider in General); grid-based resizing shows a live preview of the window’s size and position on the screen; and you can optionally show the Custom Control menu in the mouse palette without clicking your mouse. Read the Moom release notes page for the full scoop on this release.

We think Moom 2.1 is really a great “minor” update, and the new features—especially the ability to save and restore window layouts—makes this a must-have window management utility.

As always, the update is available via in-app updating for those who bought directly from us, and via the App Store application for those who purchased on the Mac App Store.

Today we released Moom 2, a major upgrade to our window moving and zooming utility. You may be saying to yourself, “didn’t they just release Moom 1 last week?” Well, it was actually just over three months ago, but yes, that’s still a very short interval for a major upgrade.

But that short interval is actually good news for existing Moom customers. Because it’s only been three months since the initial release, Moom 2 is a completely free upgrade for all purchasers. App Store users can download the new version through the App Store application, and direct customers can use the in-app updating to get the new release.

So what’s so cool about this release that merited a full-version jump? Custom controls, that’s what. And just what are custom controls? Custom controls let you turn Moom into a customized tool that does just what you want it to do. You can create a custom control for any Moom action, and then access that custom control via a defined keyboard shortcut, or via the menu bar menu. You can even access these custom controls in the mouse palette, via an option in the Mouse section of Moom’s settings window. (See the Moom product page to see how custom controls look, both while creating them and while using them.)

You can create as many custom controls as you like, too. To help keep all those custom controls straight, you can organize them by drag-arranging them in the Custom tab of Moom’s settings window. You can also insert separators, and apply group headings to groups of related actions.

We’ve been thrilled with the reaction to Moom so far, and we think Moom 2’s custom controls turn an already great tool into a simply amazing tool. If you haven’t tried it yet, download it from the Moom page and give it a try.

Moom, our newest app, takes a big step forward today to version 1.2, which introduces a couple of very useful new features and improves Moom’s interactions with a number of programs. The update is available now (or very shortly) for both direct (via in-app updating or from our site) and App Store (via the App Store application) customers .

So what’s new, and why is Moom cheating its way onto the grid? Well, the cheating bit refers to a new cheat sheet for keyboard users—the cheat sheet displays the currently-assigned shortcut keys. This feature is off by default, and can be enabled on the Keyboard tab of Moom’s Settings window. The grid bit refers to a very cool new feature for mouse users that lets you easily move and resize windows to custom sizes and positions. Also off by default, enable the grid (and set its size) via the Mouse tab of Moom’s Settings window. (If you want more information on how the grid works, read the help file for a detailed look at this cool new feature.)

Moom 1.2 also resolves an issue that was causing crashes in LibreOffice and OpenOffice. For the record, this crash was not due to anything Moom was doing, but rather, in how those apps respond to requests via Apple’s Accessibility API. We’ve found a good workaround, though, and Moom 1.2 now works properly with these apps.

There is another class of applications where Moom doesn’t work properly—as with LibreOffice/OpenOffice, this is due to problems with those programs and the Accessibility API. Moom now ignores these applications, so such problems are avoided. You can see a list of these programs, along with the other changes in Moom 1.2, on the release notes page.

If you haven’t updated yet, we strongly recommend you do so now—between the new features and the bug fixes, this is an important update for all Moom users.

No, that’s not how often we’re going to update Moom…it’s a reference to a cool new feature that lets you create corner-anchored quarter-sized windows—using either the keyboard or mouse, of course. This was the most-requested addition to Moom, and now you’ve got it.

The other big news in Moom 1.1 is that it now works with multiple displays. Using the keyboard or mouse, you can move and zoom windows across displays. Keyboard users can also move a window between displays, keeping its size and position (as closely as possible) when moved onto the new display. We’ve also got a snazzy new product page for Moom that better demonstrates how it works, so check it out.

Current customers can get updates via in-app updating (or by downloading a new copy from our site); App Store customers should see updates in the App Store application shortly.

So what could possibly be more exciting than the iPad 2 launch today? How about being informed that your brand-new application has been approved for sale in the App Store, during the actual iPad 2 launch? Yes, that’s exactly what happened to us today with our newest app.

So with apologies for stealing the limelight from iPad2 (right…), we’re thrilled to introduce Moom, Many Tricks’ newest tool to improve your productivity.

Moom simplifies a task that most of us do many times a day: moving and sizing windows. Whether it’s wanting a full-screen view while working on a project, or wanting to arrange a couple windows with each taking up half your screen, Moom makes those tasks as simple as a mouse click or keyboard shortcut.

In mouse mode, Moom’s interface appears when your mouse enters a window’s green zoom button; click the desired window size/position, and the window moves there. Change your mind? Hover over the green button again, and click the arrow to return the window to its original size and location. It doesn’t get much simpler than that.

For even more power, though, try Moom in keyboard mode. You assign a global hot key, and which actions you’d like for various combinations of the arrow keys and modifier keys. Press the hot key, and the overlay image at right appears; you can then use the keys you’ve set up to move your windows around.

Using the keyboard, Moom also gains the ability to center a window; something you can’t do using Moom in mouse mode.

Moom is available directly on our site for $5, or via the App Store for $4.99. If you’d like to try Moom before buying, download the free demo from out site—you can “Moom” 100 windows before the trial expires, so that’ll give you a good sense for how it works.

If you have any questions about Moom, please post them here, or contact me directly; I’ll do my best to answer them.