AIR to reach iPhone through Flash conversion

Adobe on Monday broadened its phone push with AIR for mobile. Much like the desktop version, the new technology allows Flash apps offline and outside of the web browser. In mobile form it can take advantage of specific phone features, ranging from multi-touch to accelerometers and GPS positioning.

The existence of AIR on phones should be an edge for iPhone development, Adobe claims. As the same Packager for iPhone will work for AIR as it does for Flash, the update will let those with Flash CS5 Professional create an iPhone app that they can port to other platforms as-is through AIR.

Native support will initially be confined to Android with a final release of AIR mobile later this year. Apple has historically opposed Flash in-browser but hasn't commented on the prospects of using AIR.

In addition to the offline app, Adobe also sent word of extra news for the mobile web. It has given out a beta of Flash 10.1 for smartphones to carriers and developers with the aim of meeting the first-half 2010 target. The in-browser plugin will reach both Android as well as webOS and Windows Mobile. Partnerships have also extended, as Adobe has joined the LiMo foundation while Symbian has joined the Open Screen Project and should hopefully get in-browser Flash at an undetermined point in the future.

By Electronista Staff