Got an email today from the guys over at Adobe…

The first alpha release is focused at Flex(TM) based applications, and we anticipate the next beta release will be targeted at HTML based applications. While this is an alpha, and not all features areimplemented, you may run into bugs, but there is plenty offunctionality for you to play with.

For those who want to knwo what it is in a small paragraph….

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.

Think of it as a webpage running on your computer (with no browser around it) with access to former desktop application only things such as system level alerts and access to your hard disk. When online it does pretty much everything a webpage can do plus the desktop perks and when it’s offline you can still use it and it will sync everything up to your online profile next time your connected to the interweb.

Here’s a cool Apollo eBay application…

I’m not sure if this is a step towards thin clients or a step away. On one hand it’s a step away because its a new style of desktop application - another use for a desktop. On the other hand this application isn’t much more than a constant webpage displayed on the desktop - making it more of a thin client.