Camera Bits has posted a public beta of the next release of Photo Mechanic for Windows and Mac. Version 4.4.3.3 of the pro photo browser incorporates a number of small improvements and fixes, and is available for download via links in a Camera Bits Forums post (details of what's new are also in the post). The final release of v4.4.3.3 is slated for delivery by the end of September 2006.

In addition, development of Photo Mechanic 4.5, the next major iteration of the software from the Portland, Oregon-based company, has been proceeding in parallel with recent v4.4 releases. Says Camera Bits software engineer Kirk Baker: "We're well on our way towards completion of the 4.5 version of Photo Mechanic."