JavaFX's day in the Sun

Dan Farber has some information about JavaFX from the JavaOne keynote today. It sounds like it wasn't a great day for demos but that we're starting to get a better picture of JavaFX and what the plans are. Michael Coté has some additional information about Sun's plans around Java as a whole and JavaFX. In our podcast with Joshua Marinacci before JavaOne, I was able to learn a lot about what the plans for JavaFX are and how it fits into the greater ecosystem of Java. It's not a replacement for Swing (a UI framework for Java) and it's also not entirely correct to say it competes with Flash, Silverlight, AIR, or any other technology.

JavaFX is just one part (albeit a very snazzy part) of many enhancements to the Java runtime which includes the Java Update 10 browser plugin that would enable JavaFX developers to target the browser with animations and vector art. But JavaFX is part of a larger Java ecosystem and is in some ways a lynchpin to allow developers and designers to create RIA experiences across a lot of devices. As Coté mentions, this is a lot like Adobe's Open Screen Project and I think it shows an industry trend of moving towards a more cohesive multi-demensional platform.

Java has been down this road before so anyone counting them out isn't giving them enough credit. They have a LONG way to go especially when you look at Adobe's RIA strengths and Microsoft's very enthusiastic entry into the space. But I think JavaFX will be a breath of fresh air for people and will help in expanding the RIA footprint further.

Update: Dion Almaer posted a video (embedded below) from the JavaFX demo:

And here's a ZDNet video of Sun executives Rich Green and Nandini Ramani showing the JavaFX environment at the JavaOne Conference in San Francisco: