The homepage of the theme features many spaces for integrating advertisements or banners. Drop-down menus have been integrated into the header, along with a featured content slider not too far down the page.

You’ll find that the theme makes a lot of use out of the space – lots of areas on the homepage for displaying recent news, videos, posts generated from categories, etc. While it does look a bit “cluttered,” ou can still quickly navigate the theme.

The footer is four columns and ideal for links to your social networking sites, links to blogs or internal pages, latest Twitter updates, and/or Flickr photos. Some of these widgets have been included and have been custom-designed.

Check out the other features of the theme below or purchase the theme today.

Additional Features:

• Fully customizable homepage.
• Custom control panel included.
• Dynamic image gallery support.
• Localization support.
• Eight detailed color schemes.
• One click automatic installation.
• Excellent support included.
• Theme guide and tutorials included.
• PSD file included for customizing the theme (Developer Version only).
• Drop-down and breadcrumb navigation.
• Gravatar support and threaded comments.
• Built-in advertisement monetization.
• Search engine optimized coding.
• Widget-ready with custom widgets included.
• Valid, cross-browser coding.

License Breakdown:

• Single Use Package ($35.00) – This package is intended for people who want to use the theme on a single website or domain. You get access to the support forums and any updates for one year. Footer links may be removed.

• Developer Package ($65.00) – This package is intended for developers, as you may use the theme on an unlimited number of sites and the original PSD files are included. Support and updates will be provided for one year.

Themes Club:

The Themes Club ($299.00) offers several benefits to purchasing themes individually. For one, you get access to all their themes and any released during your membership period, plus community support forum, and more advanced customization techniques. You may use their themes on an unlimited number of sites plus you get access to the design PSD files.

The top of the theme includes a space for your logo (you may need to do some customization in Photoshop to really give the header a unique look), an integrated search box, and drop-down menus.

On the main page, you’ll find thumbnail images which direct your visitors to internal pages and this will help you sell your products.

You can also integrate your social media sites – Facebook, Flickr, LinkedIn, Picasa, RSS, etc. beneath the drop-down menu navigation. This is the ideal area for them, as they are normally placed further down in the theme, whether in the sidebar or footer.

A number of custom page templates have been included, designed to make the theme easy to use and customize.

Check out the other features, which have been listed below.

Support: With the purchase of the theme, support will be provided.

Additional Features:

• Six layout options.
• Featured images area.
• Threaded comments.
• Fixed width.
• Theme options panel.
• Powerful theme framework.

License Breakdown:

• Bee Crafty Child Theme ($24.95) – This package includes the theme, access to detailed theme tutorials, including limited customization techniques and support through their private forums. You will also have access to updates released in the future.

• Bee Crafty and Genesis Theme Package ($79.95) – This package includes the theme and the Genesis Theme Framework, access to detailed theme tutorials, including limited customization techniques and support through their forum. You will also gain access to any future updates.

• All Theme Package ($249.95) – This package includes all themes released to date by StudioPress (as well as future updates), and you will also have access to any theme updates.

I won’t be spending much time on the layout of the theme, since it is fairly standard for a blog theme.

An integrated search box and drop-down menus are integrated into the header. Within the single post view, all the standard elements have been styled.

The demo of the theme doesn’t do it justice, as the proper sized images weren’t included, so the theme doesn’t look “right.” However, when you integrate the proper images into the theme, I am sure that it will look professional and well-integrated.

Check out the other features of the theme below or head on over to the release page.

Additional Features:

• Three beautiful color schemes.
• Three layout options.
• Video-ready with a simple video embedder.
• Built-in advertisement zones.
• WordPress 2.7+ compatible.

License Breakdown:

• Standard License ($50.00) – This package includes the theme shown above as well as lifetime support access and the complete theme framework. You may use the themes on an unlimited number of domains.

• Developer License ($75.00) – This package is ideal for developers, as it includes access to the PSD files to customize the themes. Lifetime support, the complete theme package, and the ability to use the theme on an unlimited number of domains has been included.

• Standard Club Membership ($79.00 + $9.99/month) — You will receive access to all previously released themes as well as at least two new themes each month. You’ll receive support for as long as your are a member. Themes may be used on an unlimited number of sites.

• Developer Club Membership ($159.00 + $19.99/month) — You will receive access to all previously released themes as well as at least two new themes each month. You’ll receive support for as long as your are a member. Themes may be used on an unlimited number of sites. Access to the PSD files is also included.

On the main page of the theme, you’ll find a large area for featuring your products or services. Drop-down menus are also integrated into the main navigation area.

Beneath this, there are additional areas to help guide your visitors and potential clients into your site. Moving down, the footer can also be customized to display text, links to recent blog posts, and other related content.

A standard blog page has also been included if you want to use the theme to announce updates or provide information to your readers.

Check out the other features of the theme before you head on over to the release page.

Support: Please contact the theme designer for support.

Additional Features:

• jQuery featured content area.
• Multiple widget-ready areas.
• Post thumbnails support.
• Multiple page templates.
• WordPress 3.0+ Custom Menus.
• Button shortcodes.
• Custom options panel.
• Define your own custom colors.
• Enable and disable textures.
• Upload a custom logo.
• Threaded comments.
• Twitter integration.
• Fully widget-ready homepage.
• Smooth, animated drop-down menus.

License Breakdown:

• Standard License ($49.00) – This package allows you to use the themes on as many sites as you wish, whether for personal or commercial projects.

• Buy 1 Theme, Get 1 Free using code 1free at checkout. This is a limited-time offer.

The main page includes a large area for including a statement or quote about yourself, much like a tagline. A featured content slider can scroll through some of your best posts.

At the top of the page, there are drop-down menus for your pages and categories, which can be customized using the latest WordPress 3.0+ Custom Menus feature.

The sidebar is widget-ready, so it can be customized to show whatever content you wish. In addition, all the standard widgets have been styled, so you’ll have no problem using the theme to suit your needs.

Check out the other features below or purchase the theme now.

Support: Please contact the theme designer for support.

Additional Features:

• jQuery featured content area.
• Multiple widget-ready areas.
• Upload a custom logo.
• Post thumbnails support.
• Threaded comments.
• Multiple page templates.
• WordPress 3.0 Custom Menus and Custom Backgrounds.
• Custom options panel.
• Twitter integration.
• Define your own custom colors.
• Smooth, animated drop-down menus.

License Breakdown:

• Standard License ($49.00) – This package allows you to use the themes on as many sites as you wish, whether for personal or commercial projects.

• Buy 1 Theme, Get 1 Free using code 1free at checkout. This is a limited-time offer.

The main page of the theme features drop-down menus, a sliding area for featuring your best products or services, plus areas to highlight the main features of your company or the services you offer.

A number of page styles and integrated options allow you to take control of your site, so you don’t need to know much coding to customize the theme to your liking.

Support: Please contact the theme designer for support.

Additional Features:

• jQuery featured content area.
• Multiple widget-ready areas.
• Sixteen possible color and texture combinations.
• Upload a custom logo.
• Fully widget-ready homepage.
• Multiple page templates.
• WordPress 3.0+ Custom Menus.
• Post thumbnails supported.
• Threaded comments.
• Button shortcodes.
• Custom options panel.
• WordPress 3.0+ Custom Backgrounds.
• Smooth animated drop-down menus.
• Twitter integration.

License Breakdown:

• Standard License ($49.00) – This package allows you to use the themes on as many sites as you wish, whether for personal or commercial projects.

• Buy 1 Theme, Get 1 Free using code 1free at checkout. This is a limited-time offer.

Although WordPress 3.0 was released about 2.5 months ago, it is now time to begin looking ahead at the next version of WordPress, version 3.1. This version wasn’t originally planned to include some “major” updates, but it is looking that way according to some of the discussions. Please note that not all of these features will be implemented by the time of release, some will be put on hold until a later version, especially if deadlines are not met.

In this post, I will be providing some discussion around each of the planned features and how they will help you in your everyday use of the WordPress blog/CMS platform.

Media Overhaul

The media management system of WordPress certainly needs some work still, but significant changes probably won’t come until version 3.2 or later. Minor updates will likely come with 3.1, which is still appreciated. A key feature that will be included later is the ability to implement HTML as a caption. This is simply a suggested feature, as it isn’t too difficult to add this after using the built-in image uploader to insert some HTML below the image (whether in a “caption” or not).

Advanced Taxonomy Queries

This is a feature/change that will allow site owners to better manage content and may even tie into the creation of more powerful themes. I figure some of the features included in this plugin will be included (currently, WordPress will ignore one of the parameters). For example, if you want to filter posts, you can add additional queries to help your visitors find content.

Internal Linking

If done correctly, this could be a great feature. Essentially, when you click the “insert link” button, you’ll be presented with an option to insert a link to one of your other posts or pages. Obviously, it’ll help you save time having to open up a new tab to find the link to the article. However, if it is implemented in the same insert link area, it might be a little counter-productive.

AJAX-Powered Admin Screens

Few details were provided about this, although I suspect you won’t have to re-load each admin page to change settings. Currently, one of the main complaints about WordPress is how many “clicks” it takes to change settings, so this should help alleviate some of the problems, at least until other solutions are created.

WordPress.com-Styled Admin Bar

If you’ve ever used WordPress.com, you’ve likely noticed an admin bar at the top of your blog (when logged in) as well as from the admin panel. This makes it easy to get quick access to commonly accessed areas, like the “add new post” page and to moderate comments, for example. In WordPress 3.1, this feature will likely be added, with an option to turn it off/on.

UX/UI Cleanup

Some changes to the UX/UI, ranging from cleanup to other modifications will be made. No specific target was made,  but I figure it’ll address some of the inconsistencies or other issues experienced by users.

Also included are changes to the UI of the searching/browsing installed themes page, with a WordPress.com look (the “Install Themes” tab may be migrated onto the main page).

Separate Network Dashboard

For multisite users, a separate dashboard will be added, and a personal dashboard to replace the global dashboard may also be considered for this release.

Custom Post Types API Fixes

Some changes to the custom post types API will be made, although nothing major.

Post Templates and Post Styles

Likely another way to style post templates and page styles. More than anything else, it might just mean the ability to style individual posts much like pages.

QuickPress as a Template Tag (Front-End Posting/Editing?)

This could be a big feature in upcoming versions of WordPress, as you won’t have to spend as much time within the back-end to write posts – you’ll (eventually) be able to do it simply by logging in, navigating to your blog, and clicking where you want to edit. Again, I don’t know how far the WordPress team will go with this, whether with this release or in the future, but it could be a great feature.

Conclusion

With a feature freeze by October 15, beta releases by November 15, and a release sometime around December 15, WordPress 3.1 will shape up to be a great update for WordPress users. Although I am not an expert at back-end coding or involved heavily into the future of the project, I hope that many of these features make it into upcoming versions.

What features are you looking forward to in the upcoming versions? Please leave your comments below.

The main page features a large area for a featured image, and the integrated drop-down menus make it easy to showcase your pages and it’ll also make it easy to help you organize your site’s navigation structure.

Beneath the large featured image, there are plenty of spaces for displaying text and related information about your site and your business. Additional images/thumbnails can be placed in this area to link to your internal posts or product pages.

The footer is also highly customizable and can range from three to five columns, depending on your needs. Images, links, or text can be placed here, and all the standard widgets can be integrated easily.

Finally, a large array of shortcodes and custom pages have been included in the theme files, making the theme rather easy to use and customize to your liking. Check out the other features of the theme below.

Additional Features:

• All fundamental page templates included.
• Ten additional page templates – blog, six portfolio templates, left sidebar page, and a right sidebar page included.
• 960 pixel grid system.
• Animated portfolio with category filtering.
• jQuery portfolio with five sliding effects.
• Text logo and tagline support.
• Image logo.
• More than forty custom easy-to-use shortcodes.
• Drag-and drop sidebar/footer.
• Three, four, or five column footer.
• More than sixty sliders transition effects.
• Cufon font replacement.
• CSS font replacement.
• More than thirty custom fonts to choose from.
• Custom Twitter updates widget, Flickr images, and Subscribers widgets.
• Contact form widget with all possible fields.
• Accordion content slider.
• Show/hide toggler.
• Coin slider inside posts.
• Threaded comments support.
• Unlimited sidebars.
• Different sidebar per post/page.
• WordPress 3.0+ menus.

License Breakdown:

• Single License ($35.00) – This package includes the design, layered PSD files, and support to go along with the theme.

The main page of the theme includes drop-down menus for your pages. A listing of categories is displayed beneath your logo and quick subscription/follow links.

A featured slider area can display your best posts or breaking news stories, if you decide to use the theme for publishing news.

Two sidebar areas have been included and integrated into the main page, although for individual pages, you can specify whether you want to turn them on or off using the custom pages included.

Finally, the footer includes space for four different widgets, whether you want to list recent comments, text content, or other details. Check out the other features of the theme below.

Additional Features:

• Eighteen options included in their new, awesome admin panel.
• Two custom WordPress 3.0+ menus with fallback if you don’t use the custom menus feature.
• Two widget-ready sidebars.
• One widget-ready footer.
• No plugins required.
• Option to disable the slider, exclude slider post from the homepage, and other options.
• Ad management in the admin panel.
• Three different layouts for pages with unique sidebar control panel.

License Breakdown:

• Single License ($30.00) – This package includes the design, layered PSD files, and support to go along with the theme.

The main page of the theme is very well designed, with a large featured content slider (three options included) to showcase your best work. Drop-down menus for your pages has also been included.

Beneath the large featured content area, you’ll find space for highlighting the four main benefits of your company, which can direct your visitors to internal pages, like your projects, portfolio, information about your company, your services, and more.

A number of custom page templates have been included. If you want to use the theme with a standard blog template, you’ll be able to, as that template has been included with all the standard HTML elements.

Check out all the other features below before heading to the release page to purchase the theme.

Additional Features:

• Two different color styles included.
• Three different homepage sliders.
• Two different portfolio styles.
• Lightbox with video support.
• Custom post types.
• WordPress 3.0+ menu support.
• TimThumb automatic thumbnail support.
• AJAX contact form.
• Cufon font replacement.
• Unobtrusive jQuery-powered effects.
• Page styles included – full-width, with sidebar, services, services single, portfolio, portfolio single, and more.
• WordPress shortcodes to add buttons and columns.

License Breakdown:

• Single License ($35.00) – This package includes the design, layered PSD files, and support to go along with the theme.