Claims to have these improvements.. I'm downloading atm and see how it goes.

http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/lightroom3/

* Improved performance throughout the application for faster importing and loading of images
* Native tethered shooting support for select Nikon and Canon DSLR cameras
* Luminance noise reduction has been added to the previous color noise reduction improvements available in the first public beta for outstanding overall high ISO quality
* Support for importing and managing video files from DSLR cameras for better overall photographic workflow control
* Improvements to the import experience in the first beta to reflect public feedback
* Improved watermarking functionality from the first beta to reflect public feedback

Lightroom 3 beta 2 builds on the enhancements introduced in the first Lightroom 3 beta release:

* Brand new performance architecture, building for the future of growing image libraries
* State-of-the-art noise reduction to help you perfect your high ISO shots
* Watermarking tool that helps you customize and protect your images with ease
* Portable sharable slideshows with audio—designed to give you more flexibility and impact on how you choose to share your images, you can now save and export your slideshows as videos and include audio
* Flexible customizable print package creation so your print package layouts are all your own
* Film grain simulation tool for enhancing your images to look as gritty as you want
* New import handling designed to make importing streamlined and easy
* More flexible online publishing options so you can post your images online to certain online photo sharing sites directly from inside Lightroom 3 beta (may require third-party plug-ins)*

I don't see the point in Lightroom. I downloaded it and I hated it. Guess I'm just not good with editing.

Up and running. I can already tell the speed difference compared to LR beta 1 using a 13" MBP

Initial photo loading time has decrease by what seems like half and zooming to 1:1 view is also alot faster. The watermarking function no longer looks like MS paint in terms of options.. The options increased by three fold!

Going back to ticker some more

Well i guess it takes time to adjust once you're so used to doing it one way. I just started not too long ago and was recommended LR for my workflow. I like it alot, Simple adjustments without having to launch photoshop (and i don't have photoshop lol)

Other photographers see it as another adobe bridge for the workflow.. Simplifies it alot

well yeah lightroom is quite strong when it comes to coordinating and ordering your shots. but for editing, I definately prefer photoshop. you´re so limited in lightroom..... no real space for creativity.

True, but for photos that don't need nothing more then simple WB adjustments, exposure or curve adjustment. It's a godsend to not have to launch PS.

This post was edited by Eek on Mar 23 2010 03:48pm

Lightroom is pretty good for picking images from a shoot but I would never do any sort of editing in LR.

* Improved performance throughout the application for faster importing and loading of images
* Native tethered shooting support for select Nikon and Canon DSLR cameras

These raised an eyelid

I confirmed the first point is indeed correct :D. I notice significant improvement in loading speed!

Photoshop takes me less then 30 seconds to open?

It takes me roughly 3 seconds to load PS with my SSDs. But that's not the point. The point is that it reduces a step in the workflow. Simplifying it, i personally wouldn't mind one less step in the process unless necessary.