Macromedia launched a new section of their website entitled "Flash Platform", which is aimed at promoting the wide range of uses for Flash. One of the most notable features of the website is a PDF that includes a section on "Upcoming Flash Player Capabilities". Here's what we have to look forward to in Flash Player 8 (Maelstrom):

• Graphical expressiveness (think layer effects and filters)
• Improved Performance
• Better font readability
• Enhanced video (support for the TrueMotion VP6 codec and 8-bit alpha channels)
• File upload and download
• Enhanced privacy control
• New IME content switching (allows for easier text input for languages with large character sets)

Patrick Mineault has written an excellent tutorial on Flash MX 2004's new PrintJob class. PrintJob allows you to print something different than what's on stage (i.e. change the background colors to make it more printer-friendly).