Minecraft 1.4 Update!

So, I was... ummm... doing something that I can't remember, but the important part is that I ran across the Minecraft Wiki's list of 'updates'. I found the sub-page thingy that allowed me to see all the changes that were made to the prerelease of the next version, 1.4. It also had a handy download link to the prerelease. So I downloaded it, and this is the summary of the new stuff that will be coming out.

Fences around the new plants

The first thing I did in the new map was cheat into creative mode, then start playing with new items. Firstly, there are now more kinds of fences! Instead of only the wooden ones in the past, there is now a cobble and mossy cobble fence. They work the exact same way, just look different. Also, there is a new kind of button. It is made of wood. The only difference that I can find is that the button can be pressed when shot with an arrow. Also, buttons are now crafted with only one of the blocks, instead of two stacked.

Plant Pots and Display Signs

There is also many new foods to be added, as well as new crops. There are now carrots and potatoes that can be grown. I was unsuccessful at growing any, but that was probably because of my pet pig. Anyways, potatoes and carrots grow like wheat normally does. They can be cooked, and you can make golden carrots, which I figure are similar to golden apples. Another new food is pumpkin pie. I have no idea how it is made, or what it is. Probably another cake.

There are also a couple new cosmetic items. There is a painting-like item that can now be crafted, except it allows you to display a item. It does not remove the item from your inventory, so cannot be used as storage (Glitch?). Nevertheless, it can be useful to tell what items are in a chest, or to display your epic enchanted diamond sword. Also, plant pots were added. They don't seem to have any use except to make your house look pretty. You put non-food plants into the plant pot, and then can place the plant pot. Whoot.

Wither, New Boss

There are also NEW MOBS! Hostile ones, not friendly. There are now Withers. They are basically nether skeletons, except they have a sword, not a bow. They are also far tougher then normal skeletons, cause their nether beasties. Also, many creatures now drop their heads. You can wear these instead of a helmet, or place them as trophies. With Wither heads and soul sand, you can craft the second boss in minecraft: Wither. I probably got the nether wither name wrong, cause they are different. This is a nether-ified boss, which means all of its attacks explode :O. Also, he attacks any non-nether mobs.

Wither Skelly

Also new are witches and bats. This is going to be a Hallow's Eve release, so there is lots of halloween stuff. The witches have their own happy houses in the swamps, which seem to spawn them. They are not very strong, and are fairly easy to kill. However, they are very dangerous, because they throw potions. The bats are just random creatures that don't drop anything, and just flap around and annoy you. They are found in caves.

Babie Zombie in Full Diamond Armour...

Also, apparently mobs can now pick up dropped items. Some spawn with armour, and they drop it/their weapon when they die. Also, baby zombies?
Anvils are also to be added. They allow a player to repair items, and keep the enchantment. You can also combine multiple of the same item with different enchantments to get one item with both enchantments. Anvils have the same gravity effects as sand and gravel, and if it falls on you it hurts. Even better yet, you can now change the name of items! You can name your Fire Aspect II diamond sword Birsingir.

The Four Levels of Beacon Tower

There are also a way to magically obtain potion like abilities from a temple. Using diamond and/or emerald blocks, if you make a temple thingy and put the new beacon block on top, then you can make it have a radius that gives useful abilities, such as extra damage, higher jump, faster movement, or a couple others.
Its also easier to drive pigs. there is now a carrot on a stick, which allows you to steer the pig, instead of just being at its mercy.

So, this should be going live shortly, as Hallow's Eve is coming up in only a week or so.