Karelia Software has updated Sandvox (http://www.karelia.com/download/sandvox.html), their web creation software for Mac OS X, to version 2.0. The upgrade has more than 60 new features and improvements.

For one, websites built in Sandvox 2.0 are compatible with the HTML5 web standard. The upgrade also introduces a completely new architecture and new editing engine, which allows customers to mix and match web page content “objects” in a much more naturally expressive and creative way, according to Dan Wood, president of Karelia Software.

For example, photography and video can now both reside on the same page, along with text, custom HTML and various other “objects.” Sandvox 2.0 also introduces a completely new design chooser and a more powerful Inspector that makes it easier to selectively adjust page layout, modify objects, and apply modern page features.

Sandvox features drag and drop web site assembly, live editing without a preview mode, 50 designs, 11 page types, and 19 different pagelets. Sandvox 2.0 requires Mac OS X 10.5 or higher and is currently available in English and French, with localization for additional languages expected during the coming months.

Sandvox 2.0 is regularly priced at US$77 and available directly from Karelia Software. Registered owners of Sandvox 1.x are eligible to purchase Sandvox 2.0 for a special upgrade price of $47.

For a limited time, Sandvox 2.0 is introductory priced at $67. Upgrades are introductory priced at $37 through May 20.