TextExpander, the much popular utility from SmileOnMyMac that enables you to save a lot of time by assigning abbreviations to ferquently used text and images, has been updated to the 3.0 version with tons of new stuff.

First, the application is no longer a preference pane and comes in the usual .app bundle. I don’t know what’s the thought behind this, perhaps the developers wanted to give it a more “native” feeling. Alongside with the new application format, TextExpander 3 adds support for automatic Dropbox backups and sharing of snippets in the same local network; I still have to test whether this actually works with the iPhone though.

Also, with TE running in the menubar you can now search for snippets right from the icon and do some other things like edit the last expanded snippet. Last, TE 3.0 introduces support for global keyboard shortcut, meaning that you can assign a shortcut for entering new Snippets (basically, a quick entry panel) and invoke it everytime you want to add some text to your collection.

A regular license of TextExpander 3.x comes at $ 34.95, but if your purchased it after November 1, 2009 you can have it right in your Applications folder for free. Previous users can purchase a license saving $15.

Nice update.