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Avalon and Barbie

Microsoft intoroduced a new concept in user interface design flow with Avalon. It consists of a simple HTML-like language called XAML (pronounced Zaml). This easy-to-understand language is suitable for graphics designers, but also has a seamless interface to VB.NET and C#.
XAML allows the program developer and the graphics designer to work concurrently. Changing the look-and-feel by the graphics designer has little effect on the code, and changing the onButtonClick() implementation has no effect on the graphics designer. When the design is complete, the XAML can be complied just like any other .NET code, and enjoy better performance.

In the future, commercial software will look more like commercials on websites. 2D graphics, animation, sound effects all targeted for the end-user of your market segment. A good example is the barbie web site (http://www.barbie.com/ ). This site uses flash technology which is simmiliar to what you would be able to do in Longhorn. Think of it as a PC application, and you will notice two things. First, how intuitive the navigation is. Second, how you can achieve relativly complicated tasks - Create a custom painting , design an ice skating show and play games. Ofcourse, this is not a full-blown application, but it is a good example for things to come.

posted by Itai Frenkel @ 12:35 PM