An alpha version of the new Eclipse-based Flex Builder 2 – which will be sold for less than $1000 per developer and will include the ability to develop, compile, and deploy Flex applications that connect to XML and SOAP web services with no additional charges or server licensing required – is expected to be available for download October 17, Macromedia announced today.

"The Macromedia Flex 2 product line and Macromedia Flash Player 8.5 will enable millions of developers in organizations large and small to deliver cross-platform applications that will change the face of the Internet by bringing information to life," David Mendels (pictured), general manager, Macromedia.

Flex Builder 2, previously code-named "Zorn," is an all new Eclipse-based environment for developing rich Internet applications with the Flex Framework. Flex Builder 2, Mendels noted, can incorporate rich media content from the recently released Macromedia Flash Professional 8, the leading authoring tool for creating rich interactive content.