WebMantras

Adobe has released a beta version of Adobe AIR (Adobe Integrated Runtime) formerly code-named Apollo on its Labs site. They have also announced an 18 city AIR Bus Tour over the next couple of months. They are going to pack a bus full of Flash, Flex and JavaScript developers and going across North America to hold free developer conferences for anyone interested in learning more about the Adobe Integrated Runtime (AIR).

You can also enter the Adobe AIR Developer Derby to win some really cool prizes.

Adobe has released the alpha version of the Apollo runtime. You can also download the accompanying Apollo for Adobe Flex Developers Pocket Guide.

Apollo is the code name for a cross-operating system runtime being developed by Adobe that allows developers to leverage their existing web development skills (Flash, Flex, HTML, JavaScript, Ajax) to build and deploy rich Internet applications (RIAs) to the desktop.

Apollo enables developers to create applications that combine the benefits of web applications – network and user connectivity, rich media content, ease of development, and broad reach – with the strengths of desktop applications – application interactions, local resource access, personal settings, powerful functionality, and rich interactive experiences.