Ergonis Software has released PopChar X 5.0 (http://www.ergonis.com), an update of the tool for finding and typing special characters. The upgrade lets users collect frequently used characters in a custom “Favorites” group and a new hotkey feature.

PopChar X 5.0 also contains lots of improvements “under the hood” that lead to much faster display and scrolling of the character table, faster and more reliable reaction after changes to the installed fonts, and improved dynamic updates of special cases for specific applications, according to the folks at Ergonis. There’s also a simpler technique and an improved visual representation for the menu attached to the status item.

PopChar X costs US$46 for a single-user license; however, version 5.0 is a free update for for anyone who purchased PopChar in the last two years. For info about purchases, including enterprise licenses, volume discounts, and upgrade pricing offers, visit the Ergonis web site.

Instead of purchasing PopChar by itself (approximately US$30 for a single user license), customers can get the Macility Productivity Bundle (approximately $77) that also contains two of the company’s other productivity tools, Typinator and KeyCue.

PopChar X requires Mac OS X 10.4 or newer. Mac OS X 10.6 (“Snow Leopard”) is recommended.