Today we’re thrilled to announce the release of Witch 3.0. This version offers many improvements over Witch 2; you can read the full release notes to get a sense for all the changes. Some of the most interesting new features, though, are these:

• Witch 3.0 now allows you to use Command-Tab and Shift-Command-Tab (or Command-`) for activation. This means you can use Witch to completely replace the OS X Command-Tab application switcher.
• Like the Command-Tab switcher, Witch now reacts to the window management keys (H for hide, Q for quit, etc.) instantly, instead of when Witch closes. (If you prefer the old behavior, you can set it in the preferences.)
• You can now save and load appearance settings, so you can save your favorites for easy switching, or trade appearances with others. We’ll have a bit more to say about this feature in the near future.
• A width slider allows you to control the width of the Witch window (say that five times fast!). In other words, web pages with horrendously long title strings will no longer result in a Witch window that’s as wide as your monitor—unless you want it to, of course.

There are lots of other changes, too, including full 64-bit support (no more System Preferences panel restart) and Sparkle integration, for easy in-app updates.

One thing not in Witch 3.0 is support for switching to windows in other Spaces; this is the number one item on our to do list, and assuming we can get it working in an acceptable manner, we’ll release Spaces support as a free Witch upgrade in the future.

Witch 3.0 costs $19, or $8 if you own a Witch 2.x license. For those who purchased Witch after March 17th of this year, you’ll be receiving a free upgrade to Witch 3.0; your license will be arriving in your inbox in the very near future. Update: You should now have received your license; if you did not, please let me know!

As always, you can report bugs, request features, and ask for help with Witch 3 on our support site.

A while ago, SmileOnMyMac‘s Jean MacDonald let me in on a little secret: She was working on a software bundle that was aimed specifically at new Mac users. I was very excited about that, because I knew from past user feedback that Witch was and still is one of those applications that are especially appealing to users who have just switched from a Windows machine.

And I was even more excited when I heard who else was going to be on board:

• TextExpander, SmileOnMyMac’s typing shortcut utility that’s obviously near and dear to my heart.
• 1Password, Agile Web Solutions’ incredibly successful password manager.
• Select Mac tutorials from ScreenCastsOnline — written, narrated and recorded by the brilliant Don McAllister.

So we jumped at the opportunity to join this bundle, hence adding the fourth product:

• Witch, the cross-application window switcher that’s actually useful

The package is available for $49.95 (save 50% off the retail price!) at macswitcherbundle.com. I honestly think that it’s a great deal — just think: you get 3 applications that each scored 4.5 Macworld mice, totaling a whopping 13.5 mice for less than $50. Go get the Mac Switcher Bundle and tell your friends!

There’s just one little improvement in Witch 2.0.2: To make minimized windows more discernible, their icons are now displayed inside their own little “docks”. (You can edit the border color of those docks in the “Appearance” section of the Witch preference pane.)

Looking back, I really don’t have the slightest idea why I didn’t do it that way in the first place. Once again, Rob Griffiths had to point out the obvious. Thanks, Rob!