RITLabs has released a major update to its email client. The Bat! 5.0 features a complete rework of the program’s intercommunication mechanisms, which significantly improves the way it access mail via IMAP. Not only does this make the program more stable and secure, but it also allows for the implementation of new search capabilities.

The Bat! 5.0 also boasts several new features, including folder information panels that display dynamically updated information about the currently selected mail folder, and a “smart” hints function that pops up relevant options when the mouse is pointed at specific parts of the program.

Also new in version 5.0 is an expanded URL Manager. Earlier versions of the software only allows users to block images by specific host or links; version 5 allows images to be blocked by various criteria, including sender and recipient, giving it the same capabilities as enjoyed by The Bat!’s Sorting Office.

Version 5.0 is also capable of generating and sending QR codes, which allows it to encode data into a small picture for sending to mobile devices, which can subsequently be decoded back into text, such as email addresses, links and phone numbers. It also supports the new Intel Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) Instructions Set” to speed up the AES algorithm used in TLS and S/MIME encryption on computers running supported Intel processors.

The Bat! Is available in two editions – Home ($35) and Professional ($45) – with trial versions available for each. Version 5.0 is available as a free update to all Bat! 4.1 users, but a new key will need to be purchased for all subsequent updates, with version 5.1 planned for July 2011 – existing users will be able to upgrade with a 30 per cent discount on the normal purchase price . Those who purchased a key on or after 23^rd December 2010 will find their key is valid for all 5.x releases as well as version 6.0.