[Update] PowerAMP 2.0 beta quietly updated to version 3

As you may recall, we covered the release of the PowerAMP 2.0 beta two weeks back, including a video walkthrough. Well, the app's creator, MaxMP, has been busy in that short time, pushing out a second and third version of the 2.0 beta. These two updates bring bugfixes and additional features, including the return of the smaller widgets and the ability to configure their transparency. Check out the full changelog after the jump  - both from the 1.4 version on the market right now, and between the beta releases - and hit the links to get beta testing.

Download: beta 2, beta 3

PowerAMP Beta Changelog:

beta3:

- returned PowerAMP v1.x way of shuffling folders in hierarchy mode with one difference - it's possible to navigate with <<< >>> through folders. This shuffle mode (hierarchy) is only available when folder is shuffled though context menu (while in hierarchy view mode) or via Menu => Shuffle (while in such folder list)
- added support for multidisc track sorting. CD1 songs are now placed before CD2/etc. songs when lists are sorted by track #. Also, multidisc songs now have "track/cd" track number in Info/Tags (for discs starting from 2).
- in-List Menu => Shuffle button now shuffles songs with Shuffle List mode, instead of shuffling all songs (everywhere, except hierarchy folders)
- 4x1 and 4x2 widgets now center text when album art is hidden
- small widgets now properly hide shadow for zero transparency background
- added lyrics source selection dialog/Look and feel => Lyrics option
- added Look and feel => Meta option
- fixed list issue with artist/albums, genre/albums, composer/albums

beta2:

- added up/down gesture (main screen, lock screen) to change lists (folders/albums/playlists/etc.)
- new equalizer/tone layout, including return of Volume thumb
- player screen top panel equ and tone buttons now immediately navigate to appropriate equ/tone screens. Use long press on these buttons to enable/disable equ/tone
- balance knob now snaps to zero position
- returned play/shuffle context menu actions for all lists
- help hints are shown once per screen on first run
- added Expand Menus option
- more options for shuffle/repeat and rating stars over album art in player screen. They can be either hidden completely, or be insensitive for touching, or can be sensitive and always visible
- slide unlock option for lock screen
- configurable widgets, including the new 2x2 widget size
- few other small tweaks and bug fixes
- updated PowerAMP API support. Most of the apps which utilize PowerAMP API should work without changes, but some may need some adjustments. Updated API Lib/Samples will be posted on this forum soon


Full Changelog (from v1.4):

Audio Engine:

- Direct Volume Control for new Android 2.3+ sound system where available.
Direct Volume Control results in volume level equal (or higher with positive preamp) to stock player, but with the Equalizer/Tone enabled
- re-tuned equalizer/tone controls for Direct Volume Control (gives a larger range of distortion-free sound, deeper basses)
- output limiter. Ensures distortion-free sound even on extreme equalizer/tone amplification levels
- support for .mpc (sv7/sv8), .aif/.aiff
- replay gain support for all supported formats which support Replay Gain (mp3, mp4/m4a, flac, ape, wv, tta, ogg, mpc) (most effective with Direct Volume Control)
- stereo expansion effect (Stereo X)
- mix-to-mono, balance

Library/Folders:

- custom complete Library/Media Scanner implementation, 10x-100x scan speed comparing to system library tag scanner, 1000 songs scanned in 15-30sec (depends on phone/sd card)
- Music Folder hierarchical selection. PowerAMP scans only the folders selected in Settings => Music\Folders\
- permanent shuffle. Shuffle session is stored in database and survive PowerAMP restart, phone reboots etc.
- Menu => List Opts for almost each Folder/Library list with the sorting, view mode, and other per-list options
- playlist unification, no more Folders vs Library playlists
- m3u/m3u8, pls, wpl playlist file formats support. Sync'ed playlists - any change to playlist is written back to m3u/m3u8, pls, wpl files\n
- playlist export from system Library
- embed cue support (flac, wv, ape)
- full-library and folders search
- history of songs played and other smart playlists (Most Played, Top Rated, Recently Played, Recently Added. Each list can be set to be sorted in Reverse. Enable these lists via Menu => Lists Opts in Library)
- rating system. PowerAMP 2.0 stores ratings in own database only. Later versions will also sync ratings back to track tags\n
- option not to add duplicates to playlist
- auto-advance options moved from Settings to Advance List repeat mode
- new Shuffle modes: shuffle songs then lists; shuffle lists, songs in order
- home screen playlist shortcut support
- voice search support ("Listen to")
- track "Send" action support (Bluetooth, email, etc.)
- option to ignore shuffle mode in queue


UI:

- restyled skins (larger controls, less controls initially visible, expandable menus, bigger album art, etc.)
- ability to load skins from Market/apk/jar files on SD card (PowerAMP Classic external skin is available with PowerAMP 2.0 release)
- OpenGL cover animation
- grid view for folders/albums lists
- new Equalizer/Tone and Library layouts
- new configurable Lock Screen
- new configurable 4x4, 4x2, 4x1, and 2x2 home screen widgets
- improved Settings layout and reorganized options


Other:
- lyrics download (via separate musiXmatch plugin)
- more than 100 changes in total and more are coming in the next PowerAMP 2.x releases! 

Source: MaxMP via PowerAMP forums - beta 2, beta 3

Oh, and don't forget to check out our video walkthrough of Beta 1 to get an idea just how awesome the new versions are!