Adobe Releases Photoshop CS3 Today

If you've been waiting for Photoshop CS3, this is the big day. Adobe just released Photoshop CS3 along with Creative Suite 3 Design and Web editions. Details are in this press release. Don't be overwhelmed by all the different configurations. Pricing and availability in the various CS3 collections breaks down like this for Photoshop users:

• You can purchase a stand-alone version of Photoshop CS3 Standard edition for $649. The cheapest way to get the new Photoshop is to upgrade from Photoshop 7, CS, or CS2 for just $199.
• If you're interested in additional special Photoshop features like video and 3-D, pony up $999 for Photoshop CS3 Extended. You can upgrade to this edition of Photoshop CS3 for $349 if you own Photoshop 7, CS, or CS2.
• Photoshop CS3 Extended is included in Creative Suite 3 Design Premium, along with InDesign CS3, Illustrator CS3, Acrobat 8 Professional, Flash CS3, and Dreamweaver CS3, for $1799. The upgrade price for owners of Photoshop 7, CS, or CS2 is $1599.
• Photoshop CS3 Standard is included in Creative Suite 3 Design Standard, along with InDesign CS3, Illustrator CS3, and Acrobat 8 Professional, for $1199. The upgrade price for owners of Photoshop 7, CS, or CS2 is $899.
• Photoshop CS3 Extended is also in Creative Suite 3 Web Premium, along with Illustrator CS3, Acrobat 8 Professional, Flash CS3, Dreamweaver CS3, Fireworks CS3, and Contribute CS3 for $1599. The upgrade price for owners of Photoshop 7, CS, or CS2 is $1399.
• Unfortunately, Photoshop CS3 is not in the Creative Suite 3 Web Standard edition.
• If you're feeling flush, go whole hog and get Photoshop CS3 Extended in the mega Master Collection, which also contains InDesign CS3, Illustrator CS3, Acrobat 8 Professional, Flash CS3, Dreamweaver CS3, Fireworks CS3, Contribute CS3, After Effects CS3 Professional, Premiere Pro CS3, Soundbooth CS3, and Encore CS3. It's a whopping $2499, but you get your bang for the buck.
• Shared Adobe apps and services, including the very useful Bridge CS3, the new mobile device content creator Device Central CS3, and more, come with all the Design and Web CS3 collections.