Adobe has just announced the BlazeDS beta release. On Adobe Labs today we can read that "BlazeDS is the server-based Java remoting and web messaging technology that enables developers to easily connect to back-end distributed data and push data in real-time to Adobe® Flex™ and Adobe AIR™ applications for more responsive rich Internet application (RIA) experiences."

As a matter of fact, BlazeDS is an open source part of LiveCycle Data Services, while the complete Live Cycle suite will still be closed source and subject to Adobe’s Licensing policy.

The source code will be available for download in early 2008 (http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/blazeds/).

Adobe has also published AMF binary data protocol specification, on which the BlazeDS remoting implementation is based.

BlazeDS introduces the concept of HTTP streaming, that enables clients to maintain persistent connections with backend servers. HTTP streaming will practically allow the same data push functionality that is available with the LiveCycle Data Services, with the difference that the streaming will not use the RTMP messaging channel.

Among the news, Adobe will offer Adobe LiveCycle Data Services, Community Edition, a subscription offering that includes certified builds of BlazeDS, access to Adobe enterprise support resources and additional benefits, such as product warranty and infringement indemnity, as well as additional developer support.

After the release of the Flex SDK open source, Adobe gives further signals of willingness to pursue the construction of a stronger and wider developers' community.