Good news - Adobe recently made the beta version of Photoshop CS3 available for download.
Bad news - You can use it for a very limited period of time (2 days 
) after which you need to activate the product.
Unlike the previous beta releases, Adobe tries to reach out the masses instead of releasing the product to a selected group of users. Do not expect any technical support. Adobe is giving you the privilege of beta testing the product and report bugs if any. The final version is expected in spring 2007. With this beta release, Adobe also introduced two websites - CSS Advisor and Spry (a framework for Ajax developers). Both the sites are community oriented. CSS Advisor is to discuss browser compatibility issues while Spry is for Ajax developers.
Download, install and activate Adobe Photoshop CS3 beta
Download Adobe Photoshop CS3 (Windows/Mac) for free. For CS3 beta system requirements, installation instructions, etc. please consult Photoshop CS3 Release Notes. If you want to use it for for an unlimited period of time you need to activate the product. Only users of Photoshop CS2, Adobe Creative Suite 2 Standard or Premium, Adobe Video Bundle, Adobe Production Studio Standard and Premium or Adobe Web Bundle having a valid registration key can activate CS3. If you are a CS2 user, you may get a serial number up here. There appears to be some confusion regarding the serial number issue. John Nack attempts to clear up the confusion in his official blog space.
Whats more? Installing this beta version will also install new beta versions of Adobe Bridge, Adobe Device Central, ExtendScript Toolkit, Adobe Version Cue, and Adobe Stock Photos.
Reviews: Adobe Photoshop CS3 beta features and enhancements
Unlike the previous versions, this latest beta version of Photoshop is much faster (though it takes a few mins to install). CS3 comes with an improved UI making things easier and simpler. Here are some of the highest rated reviews discussing the features and enhancements of CS3 beta:
- Adobe labs - Photoshop CS3 Release Notes by Adobe
- A Quick Look at the New Features in Photoshop CS3, Public Beta Preview by Scott Kelby
- Photoshop CS3 Beta One-on-One Preview(videos and exercises included) by Deke McClelland
- Exploring the new Photoshop interface by John Nack
Crack Adobe Photoshop CS3 using the following steps:
1. Install Photoshop CS3
2. Locate Program Files > Adobe > Adobe Photoshop CS3 > AMT > application.sif and rename it to application.anything
3. Use CS3 for unlimited period.
4. Merry Christmas !!