By now you've likely seen or heard about the new Winamp.com redesign. If not go check it out! A big thanks goes out to all of the blog and forum users who contributed ideas and suggestions. Basically, the new site is built around a wider frame with an updated layout, graphics and color scheme. Just like the old site, the new site has a ton of content & Add-ons but we just made it easier to navigate and find what you're looking for. On top of the new look and feel, we built out the functionality as well.

One of the first things that you'll notice is the new Twitter module prominently displayed. That way you can stay in the loop about the latest release and Winamp news. We also offer links out to Winamp-related pages on other popular social networks such as Facebook, MySpace, Orkut, etc.

One of the biggest changes is that in the past Visualizations were a subcategory of Plug-ins, but as promised we have now introduced Visualizations as their own unique type of Add-on - http://www.winamp.com/visualizations/. So now there's a total of four types of Add-ons: Skins, Plug-ins, Visualizations, and Online Services.

You'll also notice a major upgrade in the search functionality. Rather than searching for a specific Skin, Plug-in or Visualization, we now have a consolidated search across all types of Add-ons (Online Services will be added in a future release). No matter what your searching for... let's say you like the color blue, use the new Add-ons search to see Skins, Plug-ins, and Visualizations pertaining to 'blue'.

We've also streamlined the download experience. Since there are so many options, we have now made it easier to find the exact version of the Winamp Media Player you're looking for. One of the slick new features is that the download page will auto detect your browser and language settings. All information related to the players are categorically laid out so that users can find out about almost anything related to the Winamp Media Player software. Try it out - http://www.winamp.com/player/.

Other enhancements include a one-stop-shop for all Winamp Help Documentation. It's a Wiki based Help section so it can be easily updated and in the future we will be opening it up for translations in various languages. Also, for all of the monsieurs & mademoiselles out there, we have just launched a new version of the Winamp French Portal.

Finally, we wanted to let everyone know that this is just the beginning. Stay tuned for future enhancements & functionality to Winamp.com.

On Monday, we told you about the new sleeker Winamp.com which we will be unveiling soon! The new design will make it even easier to download Winamp, customize your media player and to get help.

Now here's a sneak peek of what the new design will look like. Leave a comment below to tell us what you think!

Winamp.com is getting a few "nips & tucks" so we'll have a new sleeker meaner machine of a site to unveil very soon. Here's what's coming ....

The Winamp Client's companion website, Winamp.com, has been redesigned to make it easier to download Winamp, customize your player and get help.

First there will be much better tools for searching and browsing Winamp "Add-ons". You must be wondering what are Add-Ons? Add-ons are the "stuff" that you can add to your Winamp Media Player to customize it - like skins, plug-ins and visualizations. We are now calling these collectively Add-ons, because we are also introducing tools that search across skins, plug-ins, visualizations and online services, see how it is all coming together... Add-ons Search. Pretty cool huh. It will be much easier now to search and browse across the 6,000 plus available Add-ons (there is that word again) with one search term. Look for the new Add-ons search in the search box at the top of the site, you won't be able to miss it.

But wait there is more... since Visualizations are so popular (we have almost 3,000 of them) we have broken them out and given them their own section. They deserve it. Look for their new home in the nav-bar after the release.

The new Winamp.com will also include a completely updated Media Player Help section based on the popular and easy to use wiki reference format. There will be great tools for searching and browsing through the massive library of Winamp help topics, FAQs, tutorials and articles. You will find the new Winamp Media Player Help on the nav-bar too.

For those of you who prefer to speak French, we are releasing an updated version of the Winamp French site as well. Check out fr.winamp.com for the new French Top Artist and Song charts and buy Winamp PRO in French too. Merci Beaucoup :)

Last but not least, the Winamp Media Player Download page has been completely redesigned to more easily help you select the version of Winamp that is right for you (there are so many), the page will even detect your browser's language settings for a more guided download experience.

The unveiling is coming soon.... Visit http://www.winamp.com to check it out!

This is just the beginning ... gear yourself for the bigger and nastier sequel coming soon in December 2009.

By now I'm sure you've either used or at least heard of the Winamp Toolbar. If not, you should download the Winamp Toolbar for Internet Explorer and Firefox and give it a try.



The toolbar is great because it allows you to control Winamp from right on top of your browser. But sometimes that's not enough. Although it's nice to have Winamp controls always available, the problem is that you're not always using your browser. Especially if you're at work. Wouldn't it be nice to keep your Winamp controls on top of your screen regardless of which application you're using? The good news is that you can... and it's actually pretty simple. All you have to do is set-up Winamp to be a docked toolbar.

Step 1:
Expand your Winamp Media Player to fit your full screen


Step 2:
Click on the Windowshade toggle (to put Winamp into the Windowshade mode).



Step 3:
Right Click in the gray area of the Windowshade (toolbar) and select Window Settings > Docked Toolbar and use the following settings:
- Deselect "Auto-Hide"
- Select "Always on Top"
- Select Location (Top or Bottom)



Step 4:
If you select the above settings, and open another software application (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.)... you'll notice that the newly opened application will automatically re-size around your docked Winamp toolbar. Allowing it to always remain visible.


Note:
- To undo simply deselect "Always On Top", and select "Not docked".

Check out the new "Winamp Add-ons" Online Service. It allows you to browse, search, and download new Skins, Plug-ins, and Visualizations from right inside your Winamp Media Player. It uses the same galleries that you can find on Winamp.com.

Skins - http://www.winamp.com/skins
Plug-ins - http://www.winamp.com/plugins

Winamp Add-ons should come as a default Online Service, but if you don't already see it listed under Online Services in your Media Library tab:

1) Click on "Online Services" in the left nav
2) Search for "Winamp Add-ons"
3) Click on the +Add button