Thanks velkymx for this submission in Back Page News. Microsoft has released it"s Beta 1 RC (Release Candidate) of Indigo and Avalon.
Indigo is the codename for Microsoft"s unified programming model for building connected systems and Avalon is the code name for Microsoft"s unified presentation subsystem for Windows, which will be behind the new Graphical User Interface of Windows Codenamed Longhorn, that is scheduled to release in 2006.
Indigo and Avalon are the codenames for two strategic developer technologies that Microsoft plans to ship in 2006 as part of the Windows "Longhorn" operating system. In addition, Microsoft is making these technologies available on Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. The Indigo and Avalon Community Technology Preview (CTP) enables developers to experiment with early builds of these technologies, get acquainted with the development experience, and provide Microsoft with feedback.