The update to my favorite Flash remoting tools AMFPHP is now available.

New features of AMFPHP 1.9:

• AMF3 support, including RemoteObject. You can finally use it in Flex 2.
• JSON support. In addition to gateway.php, there is now json.php which allows you to use your services in JSON as well Flash. Two examples here: MochiKit and Spry. XML-RPC also supported. Details below.
• A new Service Browser. Try it live here. Notice that the samples.MochiTest service is the same one used by the JSON sample, so you can verify for yourself that indeed it works both in AMF and in JSON mode.
• The end of $this->methodTable. From now on, $this->methodTable is ignored. All methods are remotely accessible by default.

It’s extremely exciting about the inclusion of Flex support and the additional JSON support. Here is the feature list of AMFPHP with JSON:

• You can use the same service in JavaScript AND Flash.
• You can use the service browser to test your classes.
• Most PHP Ajax libraries mix and match code and presentation in a fashion which makes me sick to the stomach. Amfphp provides a clean way to organize your code and dispatch calls.
• It will use PHP’s json_* functions if it finds them (built-in in PHP 5.2, available as an extension in older versions), or will revert to PEAR JSON if it doesn’t, so you have an easy upgrade path if you need more speed.
• It will serialize recordsets directly.
• It doesn’t have any JavaScript dependencies, so you can use with whatever toolkit you like (prototype, MochiKit, Spry, you name it).

One of my favorite forums Sephiroth.it has a forum based on Flash remoting with AMFPHP.

More information can be found at AMFPHP and 5 1/2.

The 5th prerelease of the Spry framework for Ajax is available from Adobe Labs Spry framework prerelease 1.4. In this release Adobe is officially introducing Spry Form Validation Widgets. Here is an example of their new Form Validation widget.

The Spry framework is used to incorporate XML data with the use of HTML, CSS, and a small bit of Javascript into HTML websites without the need to refresh the page. It’s simple to implement into projects with markup that is very easy to read. Here is an example of markup:

Spry.Effect.AppearFade(’mydiv’, {duration:3000,from:20,to:100,toggle:false});

This script will fade in the div object ‘mydiv’ for a duration of 3 seconds, from the start alpha of 20, to a full alpha of 100.

More information about the Spry Framework can be found at the Adobe Labs Spry framework page.

Here is a link to demos constructed with the Spry framework.

Adobe Photoshop CS3 Beta is now available for download over at Adobe labs Photoshop CS3 Beta. The Photoshop CS3 Beta is available in English, but only to licensed users of either Photoshop CS2, Adobe Creative Suite 2, Adobe Production Studio, Adobe Video Bundle, or Adobe Web Bundle. 

There are a plethora of new features within Photoshop CS3 Beta. Here is a rundown of what to look forward to:

• Non-destructive Smart Filters
• Quick Selection Tool
• Refine Edge
• Automatic layer alignment and blending
• Vanishing Point with multiple, adjustable angle perspective planes
• Black and White conversion
• Enhanced Adobe Camera Raw

Here is a list of the features more in depth Photoshop CS3 Beta New Features, and an in depth look at Bridge (Build 2.0.0.734) Beta.

The final shipping release for Photoshop CS3 is planned for spring 2007.