Adobe today introduced Acrobat 8, its professional software PDF workflow application that adds realtime collaboration options. Acrobat 8 offers a refined interface to allows user to easily access various features, including combining, signing and protecting PDF files, interacting with PDF forms, reviewing and collaborating on documents. In addition, Acrobat 8 and Adobe Reader 8 provide one-button access to Acrobat Connect software (formerly Macromedia Breeze), an easy-to-use, hosted software service for US users that provides immediate access to a personal meeting room for realtime Web conferencing. Along with Acrobat Connect, Acrobat 8 further extends the family beyond simple PDF creation and now enables users to choose the most appropriate means for engaging others, through electronic documents or in realtime over the Web. Acrobat 8 will ship in November 2006 in English, French, German, and Japanese versions. Acrobat 8 Professional will be priced at $450, while registered users of qualifying earlier versions of Acrobat can upgrade for $160. Acrobat 8 Standard will be $300 ($100 upgrade). Update: Acrobat 8 will be available as a Universal Binary application, according to the company.

According to the company, Acrobat 8 also includes major innovations in the areas of document collaboration, PDF content reuse, PDF forms, packaging of multiple documents, and controlling sensitive information. For example, shared reviews put collaboration within the reach of virtually anyone with access to a shared network folder and Adobe Reader. A participant in a shared review can see comments posted by others, track the status of the review, and work even when not connected - reducing duplicated work and enabling large groups to collaborate more efficiently.

Acrobat 8 also enables PDF content to be exported into popular formats to enable reuse and repurposing of content.

Version 8 features form field recognition, which automates the process of creating PDF forms from static PDF documents, while new wizards help manage the distribution of forms and collection of data. Users of Acrobat 8 Professional or Acrobat 3D Version 8 can enable anyone with the free Adobe Reader to digitally sign and save PDF forms. Additionally, In addition, PDF packages enable users to group disparate information into what appears like a single document, but preserves individual files and security settings for maximum flexibility. It also features capabilities help control or permanently redact sensitive visible and hidden information in PDF files.

The Acrobat family consists of Acrobat 8 Professional, Acrobat 8 Standard, Acrobat 8 Elements, Acrobat 3D Version 8, Acrobat Connect, and Acrobat Connect Professional.

Adobe's realtime, hosted collaboration service, Acrobat Connect, will be available in November 2006; it will be offered as a free trial version through the end of the calendar year and will cost $40 per month or $400 per year (per user). Adobe says that Acrobat Connect Professional online personal meetings are fully supported for users of Mac OS X 10.2/10.3/10.4-- on both PowerPC- and Intel-based Macs.