I wish I could say that it was because of the lack of features, but I haven't upgraded because of the product activation. I might when I finally buy new hardware, but atm I am very satisfied with 7.0, and I honestly don't want to install and then have to go through the activation process when I upgrade my machine in the next year or so. I'll probably upgrade to XP at the same time.

As for what is new: http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/newfeatures.html

Sorry to sound whiney, but as a dedicated *paying* Photoshop user for several years, product activation is like a poke in the eye. I wouldn't have a problem giving them a call if I had to install it more than twice in a year, but I hate the idea of them making a personally identifiable 'fingerprint' of my machine. I don't believe for a second that a cent of the money they would normally lose to piracy will find its way back to the user, either. This version certainly doesn't reflect any price change.


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Not sure, it das give some updates but most are with images for the internet and stuff like that.
I am defenatly not going to upgrade, I will stick to my old one.

i´m still waiting for the German version.
for the professional custom hotkeys are a real timesaver and worth the upgrade alone. and layer comps sound really great.
if you´re just using it for hobby purposes than you probably don´t need to upgrade. it´s a professional tool to make money not to cost.

Improved File Browser
Quickly preview, tag, and sort images; search and edit metadata and keywords; and automatically share batches of files from the improved File Browser.

Match Color command
Achieve a consistent look between package shots, fashion photos, and more by instantly matching the color scheme of one image to another.

Histogram palette
Monitor changes to your image in the Histogram palette, which dynamically updates as you make adjustments.

Shadow/Highlight correction
Quickly improve the contrast of over- or underexposed areas of an image while preserving the overall balance of the photo using Shadow/Highlight correction.

Text on a path
Create eye-catching typography by placing text on paths or within shapes. Edit the text at any time, even in Adobe Illustrator® software.

Integrated digital camera raw file support
Get truer, higher quality output by working with the complete raw data files from most major digital camera models.

Comprehensive 16-bit support
Perform more precise editing and retouching with expanded support for 16-bit images in core features, including layers, brushes, text, shapes, and more.

Layer Comps
Create design variations for clients more efficiently by saving different combinations of layers within the same file as Layer Comps.

Macromedia Flash file export
Use ImageReady CS to create Macromedia® Flash™ (SWF) animations, complete with vector artwork and variable text.

Customizable keyboard shortcuts
Customize, save, and print a summary of your ideal set of keyboard shortcuts, so the functions you use most are always at your fingertips.


And yes, its faster.

heh
You won't get help with a pirated version, and I probably know why your keyboard shortcuts are messed up.

i think 199 bucks. My dad's office does have a few of them, so I have it too.

paxx *coughMINEDIDNTcough*

It really is worth it though, I personally love the nested layer sets, as I'm a huge organization buff.

Bakerstreet: is that right? I never noticed that in 7.0. I guess it's not new than.

paxx opens PS7 to check it out...

All right. No different. Exactly the same. Forget that point then.

paxx goes hide under a rock

Personaly I think the layer comps are incredibly usefull. I use them all the time now.  And a few little features here and there.
It has a script feature too, that I don't think existed in previous versions. I guess it's a bit like the actions, but more powerful. A lot like the Gimp foo scripts, if you're familiar with the Gimp. Eventually, I'm sure there'll be tons of scripts you can download.

well i used photoshop befor but now iv changed to photoimpact becuase it has some better ways to do things

and DestopX Pro of course.

Man, this stuff is expensive. Layer comps and work groups sounds cool to me. the other stuff seems to be fluff but useful I guess.

Its not actually fluff.
Most of it is made for workflow and productivity increases.
And it really does matter when you're doing high volume work.