Here is a list of upcoming Beans and Beans-related features:

<ul>
 <li><b>The Java Activation Framework (JAF)</b>. The JAF is a
     data typing and command
     registry API. With the JAF you can discover an arbitrary data
     object's type, and look command applications or Beans that
     can process that data type, and activate the appropriate command
     at a user gesture. For example, a browser can identify a file's
     data type, and then launch the appropriate plug-in to view
     or edit the file. The JAF is a Java standard extension. You can get
     a copy from the JavaBeans
     
. 
     <p>
 <li><b>The Extensible Runtime Containment and Services Protocol</b>, also
     known as <code>beancontext</code>. Previous to this
     protocol a Bean only knew about and had access to the
     Java Virtual Machine (JVM) in which the Bean ran, and
     the core Java APIs. This protocol introduces a
     standard way for a Bean to discover and access
     attributes or services provided by a Bean's enclosing
     environment, and for a Bean's enclosing environment
     to discover and access a Bean's attributes and services.

     The <code>java.beans.beancontext</code> API introduces 
     the ability to nest Beans and <i>Bean contexts</i>
     within a hierarchical structure.
     At runtime, a Bean can obtain services from its containing enviroment;
     the Bean can then make use of those services, or propagate those services
     to any Beans that it contains.
     <p>
     <font color="red" size="+1"><b>NEW!</b></font>:
     Check out our new lesson on beancontext:
.
     <p>
 <li><b>Drag and Drop Support</b>. The <code>java.awt.dnd</code> API
     provides support for drag and drop between Java applications
     and native platform applications.

</ul>
Check the 
 for the latest information.

<p>