Adobe AIR 2.5 converts apps for iPhone, tablets, TVs
updated 09:15 am EDT, Mon October 25, 2010
Adobe intros AIR 2.5 and InMarket for tablets, TV
Adobe today stepped up development of its non-computer Flash plans by launching AIR 2.5. The app for creating non-browser Flash apps can now package them for Android and iPhone devices but also tablets, including the iPad and the upcoming BlackBerry PlayBook. Google TV support isn't yet built in, but AIR can build apps for Samsung's SmartTV platform.
As before, Android runs the apps as true Flash with a native AIR runtime while iOS apps are converted into native titles. The desktop apps have also been updated and have better HTML support, including the option of using the native browser engine for code instead of having to supply one. AIR on Windows now has H.264 hardware video acceleration, with improvements to Linux and Mac installs coming in later versions.
Adobe is also launching InMarket, a tool to package and distribute apps created with Adobe's tools across some currently minor stores, including Intel's AppUp Center. It follows the established business model of other stores with a 70 percent revenue cue for the developer and, initially, free code signing.
AIR's runtime and its SDK should be available today. The BlackBerry PlayBook's runtime should ship along with the tablet in early 2011, and Androidphones should start coming preloaded with AIR through Acer, HTC, Motorola and Samsung along with one or more BlackBerry models.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2008
So, is there some benefit to this new
programming platform? Is it simpler to use than other programming languages or something? I know nothing about programming and I just wonder why this new one is so special or needed for that matter. Also, is it basically something just to keep Flash from falling out of favor?