WPF New Features on .NET 3.5 Beta 2

Recently, Microsoft announced the release of Visual Studio 2008 Beta 2 (previously codenamed Orcas), SilverLight 1.0 RC, and .NET 3.5 Framework Beta 2.

On this post, I am just gonna list the new features of WPF on .NET 3.5 Beta 2.
* Application Model
o WPF builds on the new add-in model in .NET Framework 3.5 Beta 2 to allow developers to create visual add-ins, where add-ins provide UIs that are displayed by the host application. You’ll find the add-in types in the System.AddIn namespace in System.AddIn.dll, System.AddIn.Contract.dll, and System.Windows.Presentation.dll.

o XBAPs can now run in FireFox.

o Cookies can be shared between XBAPs and Web applications from the same site of origin.

o Improved XAML intellisense experience for higher productivity.

o Data binding and journaling by URI work together.

* Data Binding
o A new debugging mechanism makes it easier to debug data bindings. (new attached property: System.Diagnostics.PresentationTraceSources.TraceLevel)

o The data validation model now supports the IDataErrorInfo interface. (new class: System.Windows.Controls.DataErrorValidationRule)

o Improvements have been made to BindingListCollectionView to provide better support for binding to a collection that is of type BindingList and for LINQ.

o The behavior of data bindings with a CollectionView over an IEnumerable has been improved to provide better performance and better support for binding to results that are produced by LINQ.

* 3D
o UIElement concepts such as input, focus, and eventing have been brought to 3D. (new classes: System.Windows.UIElement3D which is abstract, and ContainerUIElement3D and ModelUIElement3D in the System.Windows.Media.Media3D namespace)
o Developers can now place interactive 2D content onto a 3D object. (new class: System.Windows.Media.Media3D.Viewport2DVisual3D)

* Documents/Annotations
o The annotations framework now exposes the capabilities for matching annotations with the corresponding annotated objects. (new interface IAnchorInfo and new class TextAnchor in the System.Windows.Annotations namespace)

* Better IME support, RichTextBox extensibility (new property IsDocumentEnabled), performance improvements, and more!

6th Generation iPod UI

There is a rumor floating around about the new iPod UI. It seems to have similar look-and-feel as their siblings, iPhone.
However, the chance is, this is still an early design mockup.

MSDN Channel 8 - Launched!

After being delayed almost a week, the awaiting finally paid off. Microsoft Channel 8 is officially launched as of today [21 July 2007 Australian Time].

For those of you who are wondering what Channel 8 really is, here is the official quote:

Channel 8 is THE place to be for STUDENTS who want to code, connect and create technology. Stay plugged into tech news and share in the experience with students around the world just like you who want to see their creations come to life. This is also a back door directly into Microsoft just like Channel 9 but from a student point of view. This means access to the inside scoop about our products and life working inside Microsoft and information on cool things coming out. This is your community – a place for you to share your tips and tricks and even your problems. Go check out what others are doing and talk about what you think is cool.

MSDN Channel 8 [HTTP 403 - Not Authorized]?

You might be familiar with MSDN Channel 9, but.. what the heck is Channel 8?
I heard a rumor that Channel 8 will be a social-networking-kinda-site that focus on students! Plus, I was informed that the site will be up by Monday night (Australian time).

But, see what happened when you try to browse the site!


A nice HTTP 403 Error!