Adobe Apollo + Flex
Here is a simple Adobe Apollo application that was created using the Adobe Flex Builder. The email form is just a test of Actionscript model validation and does not send an email. HelloAir.air (requires the Apollo runtime) Flash plug-in version (runs in the web browser)
The Flex Builder is pleasant to use and very powerful. Since it is based on Eclipse the learning curve was zero. You can get a free version of Flex and just run with that, but most professionals will probably just buy the IDE. My biggest problem with Flex is getting the layout correct and that all the "fancy" effects might result in some horrible user experiences if the developer uses them all over. Effects might even become the new blink tag if it goes too far.
I am also seeing a lot of scroll panes inside scroll panes on the web. Might be a sign that Adobe need to push some better documentation to its developers or that Adobe's layout code needs some work. The image browser example used in this application sometimes refuses to use 100% of the available (parent component) width. Maybe it's a bug. Inconsistent behaviour (behavior) in Flex layout is my biggest concern. In JFC/Swing inconsistency usually means that you have done something wrong or that you have messed with minimumSize, preferredSize and maximumSize. In Flex I guess it means that I am not talented in Actionscripting.
The Apollo SDK also feels a bit lightweight for something coming out of Adobe. Apollo/Flex is very powerful indeed, but the SDK does not reflect this. Third party applications are currently in crash-o-rama spectacular mode since about 60% of non-Adobe demo applications throw exceptions. It is alpha after all.
