The next generation of streaming isn't about faster pipelines, but about smarter connections. DeltaJoin, a new operator in Apache Flink, reimagines stream joins by moving from brute-force state to change-driven computation. Paired with Fluss, Flink's purpose-built storage layer, it enables systems that are real-time, scalable, and cost-efficient. Anton will show how DeltaJoin and Fluss shift streaming architecture from ephemeral flows to durable, queryable state that bridges real-time processing with lakehouse patterns. Drawing on production experience, he'll demonstrate how these innovations reduce join costs, simplify architectures, and unlock new possibilities for real-time analytics. Attendees will leave with a vision of Flink 2.x as the backbone for event-driven systems and modern data platforms.