While I can list some of the major applications that are using JavaFX I will not list all of them since the list is a big one that would take too long to go through. Many of these applications I have found to be innovative in their chosen field, and have been designed by actual designers, not software developers. Here are some of the major applications that use JavaFX:
- ThoughtSlinger (Word Processor)
- Indaba Music Console (Music Editor)
- TwentyOne (CRM)
- Timeshot (Photo Editor)
- Pirimap (Emergency Response History)
- MetaMaps (Diagram Editor)
- Ubivent Virtual Event (Event Hosting)
- WidgetFX (Desktop Widgets)
Here is a list of the major companies that have adopted the use of JavaFX in some of their applications (note that this is not a comprehensive list, it would take too long):
When it comes to the mobile area JavaFX has made very little progress. Not enough to make a significant difference against the RIA competitors. JavaFX's potential is largely untapped in this area. JavaFX has the potential to dominate in this area provided it is given the proper resources, and outsiders can contribute to improving the technology so it can be number 1. Open sourcing JavaFX would allow it to gain a foothold, especially with developing runtimes for some of the major mobile platforms (including Android), and making them freely available (without cost) to hardware vendors and users.
Deployment currently is the Achilles heel for JavaFX. Since JavaFX's first release it has been plagued with problematic loading times, and poor loading feedback for people using applications that utilise JavaFX, this is mostly problematic on the desktop side. Although the deployment situation is gradually improving much more still needs to be done in order to reach an acceptable level. When it comes to a rock and a hard place JavaFX is placed in a difficult situation where it can either wait for Java modularity to arrive, or develop a completely independent desktop runtime that does not rely on having the JRE present.
One blogger has commented that a good looking JavaFX application is solely determined by the technology itself, and that there are no good looking applications in the wild. Since this person is a User Interface Designer I am somewhat surprised that they would make a comment based on technology and not the people involved in the design. It really shows how much that person doesn't know about making good looking applications, what a great disappointment.
A good looking application is determined by the skill, and a little talent of the designer. In some cases the software developer / engineer acts as the designer, which is a very common situation and some have the rare ability to pull this off well. I have found plenty of JavaFX applications that are good looking. However the look of an application is a very subjective topic that greatly differs between people.
Designers don't need to use a specialised design tool in order for graphics to be used in a RIA technology. JavaFX already has integration via plugins with some of the major graphics design tools (Inkscape and Photoshop). At the moment the JavaFX Authoring tool is under development, and although Oracle is running a bit on the late side with development it will be worth it when it is released, “good things take time”.
There are two videos that showcase just how innovative the tool really is. If it was out today it would provide a major advantage for using JavaFX against the other RIA competitors. Oracle really need to provide regular communication on how the Authoring tool is progressing, which is sorely lacking. I can understand why some of the community are a bit worried about this.
Although JavaFX is lacking in a wide range of quality controls with each release more and more controls are being added. Increasing the number of built-in controls is the best way to go, as opposed to having third party control providers. Built-in controls provide consistent quality that software developers can rely on. Remember that JavaFX unlike Swing is designed for creating consumer applications where custom controls may be created on the fly.
As such it is absolutely pointless to compare Swing and JavaFX, only contrasting can be done between them. Regardless of which front-end technology is used it will not be possible to satisfy every situation where it is used, hence third party controls are used or custom ones are created.
Plenty of major real world JavaFX applications have their own custom controls created entirely using JavaFX. Oracle should look at incorporating some of these controls in future JavaFX releases. Why do we need to look at Swing when there are plenty of JavaFX applications that provide the missing controls? We have lots of inspiration to look at in the JavaFX camp with the work that is done using JavaFX. Oracle should seize on this to further improve JavaFX!
With each release JavaFX has gone from strength to strength, and proven critics wrong time and time again. What JavaFX needs to do in order to improve is to continue making solid improvements, make deployment faster and easier, have mobile runtimes for some of the major mobile platforms, and provide provide low level graphics and media manipulation APIs.
Right now JavaFX is at a crossroads with its reasonable level of success and adoption. In order for JavaFX to move forward further it must be FULLY open sourced in order to reach greater success and adoption, and to gain a solid foothold in the mobile area.
