Devoxx Keynote: JavaFX - The Platform for Rich Internet Applications by Danny Coward

Java FX version 1 is out now and looks promising. Although it hits version 1 I don't think it is really ready for prime time:

• no Linux (or OpenSolaris ;-) support yet. Really a missed opportunity to get 'Java' in a more positive spotlight in the Linux users' mindset.
• native Mac and Windows video formats are supported, but to get real cross-platform media, FXM must be used (http://java.sun.com/javafx/faqs.jsp#19). Supporting native video formats but claiming full cross-platform support seems contradictive to me.
• I could still see some small glitches like small GC-pauses and startup-waits. Not sure if those are relevant or just demo-quirks.
• the promise of 'multiple devices, one language' is still very vague to me. I have no clue how full screen apps can run great on small phones without any change.
• licensing is still blurred. Although Sun is committed to opensource the Java FX core (http://openjfx.org). Real open source of Java FX would be a big plus compared to Flash, especially for the Linux distro's, but I doubt Sun will be able to remove all encumbered stuff like the multimedia codec's.

I'm not really a "shiny flashy apps" developer, but once Linux support is there I might delve deeper into Java FX.

References:

• intro: http://www.devoxx.com/display/JV08/JavaFX+The+Platform+for+Rich+Internet+Applications
• slides: http://www.devoxx.com/download/attachments/1705921/D8_C_10_08_key_01.pdf