WordPress Version 4.0, which is being called “Benny” in honor of jazz clarinetist and bandleader Benny Goodman, is available for download or update in your WordPress dashboard.
In the official announcement, WordPress touts that this is not just another WordPress update, “we feel we’ve put a little extra polish into it” the company says.
The release of WordPress 4.0 was led by Helen Hou-Sandí, with the help of 275 contributors, a new high for a WordPress release. We’re incredibly proud to note that Slobodan Manic, SEJ’s CTO, was a contributor to this release.
With this update comes a smoother writing and management experience for WordPress users. Here are some of the key changes in version 4.0.
Media Library
In the new media library you can browse through your uploads in a newly design, endless grid of thumbnails. The new media library comes with a new details preview makes bulk viewing and editing of media much easier.
Embedded Media
When you aste in a YouTube URL or a tweet you can see it instantly become an embedded piece of media. Embedding has become a visual experience in WordPress 4.0, as the editor shows a live preview of your embedded content as you’re creating it.
WordPress has expanded the supported services too, now you can embed videos from CollegeHumor, playlists from YouTube, and talks from TED.
Improved Editor
With the improved editor in WordPress 4.0, writing and editing is smoother and more immersive. The editor expands to fit your content as you write, and keeps the formatting tools available at all times.
Better Plugin Search Experience
WordPress 4.0 makes it easier to search through the more than 30,000 free and open source plugins in the WordPress plugin directory. Find the right one for your needs with new metrics, improved search, and a more visual browsing experience.
To get your hands on WordPress 4.0 you can download it right here, or simply update directly from your WordPress admin dashboard.
