Today, TweetDeck has released version 0.31 and with it a slew of new features, including keyboard shortcuts and a new notifications system.
The new notifications system can be applied to certain groups (instead of being the same across all columns) and now features inline reply, RT, and direct message access from within the notification menu. Also new with TweetDeck v 0.31 is the ability to view your newest 100 followers. From there you can follow, block, or add to an existing group -- without having to leave TweetDeck.
For keyboard addicts (like myself), TweetDeck has often been frustrating because you've really got to use a mouse to use the program with any consistency. Now TweetDeck supports keyboard shortcuts and a Heads-up Display (HUD) for quickly making changes and sending messages without ever having to go to the mouse.
TweetDeck 0.31 has also been optimized to consume less memory -- which should result in an overall better user-experience, especially for heavy users. Here's a demo of the new features:
You can update your existing TweetDeck program or download it from here -- and don't forget to check out MashDeck, a customized version of Tweetdeck with some extra Mashable love.