Adobe Systems has unveiled a new version of Adobe Flash Player 10.1 software, the first full version to support smartphones, smartbooks, netbooks, PCs and other internet-connected devices.
According to Adobe, the Flash Player 10.1 is the first consistent runtime release of the Open Screen Project that enables web browsing of expressive applications, content and high definition (HD) videos across devices. Using web programming model of the flash platform, the browser-based runtime enables designers and developers to reuse code and assets and reduce the cost of creating, testing and deploying content across different operating systems and browsers.
Adobe said that the browser-based runtime leverages the power of the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) for video and graphics while conserving battery life and minimising resource utilisation. The mobile-ready features include, support for multi-touch, gestures, mobile input models, accelerometer and screen orientation.
Flash Player 10.1 will also take advantage of media delivery with HTTP streaming, including integration of content protection powered by Adobe Flash Access 2.0. This effort, code-named Zeri, will be an open format and will provide content publishers, distributors and partners the tools they need to utilise HTTP infrastructures for media delivery in Flash Player 10.1 and Adobe AIR 2.0 software, the company said.
The Open Screen Project, led by Adobe, includes around 50 participants including Cisco, Nokia, Google, NVIDIA, RIM, Sony Ericsson, Qualcomm and Palm, working together to provide a runtime environment across mobile phones, desktops and other consumer electronic devices. The initiative is to address the challenges of web browsing and standalone applications on a range of devices, and to remove barriers to publishing content and applications across screens.
David Wadhwani, general manager and vice president of platform business unit at Adobe, said: “With Flash Player moving to new mobile platforms, users will be able to experience virtually all Flash technology based Web content and applications wherever they are. We are excited about the broad collaboration of close to 50 industry leaders in the Open Screen Project and the ongoing collaboration with 19 out of the top 20 handset manufacturers worldwide. It will be great to see first devices ship with full Flash Player in the first half of next year.”
A public developer beta of the browser-based runtime is expected to be available for Windows Mobile, Palm webOS and desktop operating systems including Windows, Macintosh and Linux later this year. Public betas for Google Android and Symbian OS are expected to be available in early 2010.
