Flash-MX: News

OK, although the name may not immediately ring any bells, Avalon is the codename for the brand new graphics sub-system for the next Microsoft OS. Although that in itself doesn't sound interesting, Avalon is going to going to be running the new Sparkle application from Microsoft. Yeah, THAT Sparkle, the one that is apparently the next "Flash Killer".

This begins to get interesting as News.com is reporting that Microsoft is giving developers a very early glimpse at some of Avalon. Although it doesn't sound to thrilling from the News.com article (apparently it wasnt even a beta or test version, just some incomplete code), it will be interesting to see what Microsoft thinks they have which could come close to killing Flash.

News.com says the following:

The Redmond, Wash.-based software powerhouse released what it calls a "community technology preview" of the Avalon presentation engine for Windows. It's not a full beta, or test, version, but rather an incomplete set of code that lets developers test certain features and pass along their thoughts to Microsoft.

"It's basically a build that has a couple new features that we want to test out with customers," said John Montgomery, a director in Microsoft's developer division. "This is just our way of getting feedback."

Also, because I'm too lazy to actually rehash what the article says, I'll just quote some more:

Avalon was originally envisioned as a core feature of Longhorn, the next version of Windows. It will still be a part of that operating system, but it will also be made available as an add-on for users of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003.

...

Avalon is a key part of Windows' future, but it is something the average computer user will never touch directly. Instead, it's an improved method of dealing with graphics, designed to let developers write snazzier-looking applications.

...

A beta of Avalon is slated for next summer, along with the first beta of Longhorn. Final versions of Longhorn and Avalon are expected in the second half of 2006.

Or, if you prefer to read what I casually dismissed as "...", feel free to check out the article on News.com (link).

For those of you interested in this supposed "Flash Killer", I also found this page (link) on the Interweb (although it it somewhat old):

Developers can write to Avalon using XAML, the Microsoft-authored eXtensible Application Markup Language. But for now, the only way to write XAML applications is to hand-code them.

Sparkle is the tool that will automate XAML application development. Said one source: Sparkle will let you create XAML and .Net applications."

Comparing Sparkle and Flash is "kind of an apples and oranges comparison," says one Windows developer familiar with Sparkle, who requested anonymity. "On the surface, it looks like Flash, but it's really a programmable 'thing' for doing stuff with Avalon. It's really designed more to make your existing applications do really cool stuff.

The developer continued: "Flash won't die because it's cross-platform and very easy for simple things, especially on the Web. Sparkle will just make it much easier for developers to do cool effects within their applications."

Microsoft gives developers a glimpse of Avalon [via News.com]
Microsoft to Automate 'Avalon' Coding With 'Sparkle' [via Microsoft Watch]