I would expect if a new version of PKS is coming out, the capture sharpening will offer even more control, since otherwise I'm not sure what it would bring to the table over LR/ACR except for the option of having a layer in PS that you can work with.
Well, if one knows the tools, Lightroom and/or Camera Raw are optimal for capture sharpening because you can incorporate both the sharpening AND the noise reduction at the same time. Those who have used the Lightroom 3 beta have had a taste of the new demosiacing/sharpening/noise reduction capabilities...note that luminance noise reduction wasn't included in the beta but one would expect that when it's added it will be as much of a breakthrough as the improved demosiacing and color noise reduction (some of us have knowledge that we can't discuss due to NDA's)
As far as I'm concerned, I doubt that PhotoKit Sharpener 2.0 will be able to do much if anything better than ACR 6/LR 3 for digital capture...I certainly won't be using it for capture sharpening even though it's "our" product...
I do think that currently (LR 2.6) the optimal lace for output sharpening is in Lightroom's Print module which IS directly formulated from PhotoKit Sharpener's output sharpening...that's what I use for output since I can create one master ProPhoto RGB file, retouched, soft proof prepped and all set to print to any size I need...
The big question going forward is "creative sharpening" or sharpening for effect. Clearly the local sharpening controls are limited (although expect to see improvements in LR 3). When you need to aggressively go in and create effect sharpening, there's really no alternative to going into Photoshop.
That's where PhotoKit Sharpener 2.0 will dwell...creative sharpening for effect...
BTW, using an edge mask for capture sharpening is pretty much a baseline standard...PhotoKit Sharpener give you the ability to use the Expert mode that preserves the edge masks for post adjustment...and while ACR & LR's sharpening is based on Bruce's sharpening principals, that aren't based on our algorithms (while the output sharpening is). However, the edge mask in ACR & LR is a direct result of Bruce's research. Pretty darn impressive that ACR & LR can parametrically do about a 20 step process in Photoshop with the adjustment of a single slider (with an optional preview of the mask).
Really, anybody who isn't impressed by that has their head up their arse...(or doesn't have a clue about the importance of edge masks)
:~)