Flash Builder 4.7 Beta is now available.. !!

the latest version of Flash Builder is currently in public beta with support for Apache Flex 4.8. The beta is free to all - it will expire when the official version ships. The official version will be a free upgrade for retail 4.5/4.6 customers.

 The Flash Builder team is looking for feedback on support for Apache Flex SDKs
(and how it can be made using Apache Flex easier in Flash Builder).


The URL of the download page is

http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/flashbuilder4-7/

The key highlight of this release is support for Flash Player 11.4 and AIR 3.4, as well as support for the new Apache Flex 4.8 SDK. Other new features include

• New compiler support for ActionScript Projects
• Support for creating ActionScript Workers
• Support for iOS USB deployment, testing & debugging
• Support for iOS simulator

changes from previous release: 

• FB 4.7 no longer includes design view.

Pros & Cons of use of Adobe Flex for iPhone/iPad Developers

Below are the pros and cons of Adobe Flex (http://www.adobe.com/products/flex.html) environment for iOS development.

Pros:
1. No specific Hardware need: No need for Mac OS X system for development ( works on both platforms Mac & Windows).
2. Code sharing across multiple platforms: Run the same code on other mobile platforms (BlackBerry Playbook and Android), desktops & web applications (browsers)
3. SAP Data Integration: Ease of integration with SAP backend & Web Services (or to other standard data sources)
4. Improvement Developer Productivity (Adobe Flex / ActionScript would be easier to learn for a Java developer than Objective C).
5. Design Time Integration: Eclipse based developer (Flash Builder) environment or developer tools can be integrated with SAP NetWeaver Developer Studio.
6. Low Training Cost, there are plenty of examples and development tutorials available for free to get started with Adobe Flex. 
7. SAP NetWeaver GateWay Integration: https://community.wdf.sap.corp/sbs/groups/adobe-flex/blog/2011/09/02/flash-builder-and-sap-netweaver-gateway-integration
Cons:
1. Dependency on Flash Platform.
2. Licensing Cost of Software:  Cost of Development tool, Adobe Flash Builder Premium license costs $699. (on single license purchase, there may be discounted price for bulk purchase)