In addition to many other features, this new version of Thunderbird supports Chat: you now can enjoy real time conversation with your contacts, right from your favorite messaging application. On top of this, Thunderbird makes it easy to search through both past conversations and received emails.

Let’s say that a week ago, I sent you an email asking you for lunch, and that you answered my email saying that you’d love to take me to your favorite restaurant next to the Eiffel tower. Yesterday, while we were connected on Facebook chat, you confirmed that you booked a table for 12:30. This morning, I simply typed Eiffel in Thunderbird search box, and both the email and Facebook chat threads appear instantly, showing the address exchanged over email on one side and the time we will meet on Facebook chat on the other side. This level of integration allows you to bring all your messaging together in one place.

The supported Chat networks are Facebook, Gtalk, IRC, Twitter, and any XMPP network.

A few months ago we added Search the web to Thunderbird. We are pleased to announce the implementation of the Do Not Track option associated to Search the Web, as at Mozilla we are convinced that Web users can signal that online advertizing targeting companies should leave them alone when searching the Web. It’s an option that you decide to turn On or Off, but we want to make sure this is your choice.

While announcing Thunderbird Filelink early June, the feature that allows you to upload large files to an online storage service and to send links to your friends instead of large attachments, we have got many requests to integrate a broader offering of online service providers. This Thunderbird release introduces Ubuntu One in complement of YouSendIt.

Last but not least is the implementation of a brand new menu and toolbar design. Thunderbird is replicating the new look and feel of Mozilla Firefox in an effort to provide a similar user experience across all Mozilla software desktop or mobile and all platforms.

As you can see integration is the word that best describes this new Thunderbird: integrated Chat, Mozilla newest user interface design integration, integrated email and chat search, integrated Do not track option for Search the web, new integrated Filelink partners with Ubuntu One.

We hope you will enjoy it and do let us know your comments!

To get the latest versions of Thunderbird for Windows, Mac or Linux download Thunderbird from http://www.mozilla.org/thunderbird or go into the About dialog to check your latest version

Reminder: The Thunderbird 3.1.x series and earlier versions are no longer supported and therefore are becoming more exposed to Internet security threats. We recommend that all Thunderbird users of previous versions upgrade to the latest release as soon as possible.