News, info, and opinion by Mac users, for Mac users.

May 1, 2008

video

Adobe drops restrictions on Flash, AIR

Posted May. 1, ’08, 10:44 AM PT by Dan Moren
Category | Video

openscreenproject.jpgThe battle for Internet video continues. Not satisfied with the dominating presence of Flash, Adobe is making moves to spread their influence even further. Their latest thrust in the constant lunge/riposte is the Open Screen Project, which hopes to help extend the presence of Flash and Adobe’s AIR framework to all the devices you use to get on the Internet: your computer, your set-top box, your microwave, etc.

Among the partners Adobe has lined up are device makers like Samsung, Motorola, Sony Ericsson; hardware component makers like Marvell, Intel, and ARM; content producers like BBC, MTV Networks, and NBC; and networks like NTT DoCoMo, Chunghwa Telecom, and Verizon Wireless. Sure, that’s a lot of names, but come on: companies will put their name on pretty much any initiative or alliance that gets bandied about. Where’s the beef?

What’s really important here is that Adobe plans to remove restrictions on the use of Shockwave and Flash formats, publish the device porting layer API and the Adobe Flash Cast protocol, and remove licensing fees for Flash Player and AIR. While Adobe will still be holding back some proprietary info, such as their own implementation of Flash, these developments will significantly lower the barrier of entry for those looking to support Flash video on other devices.

We notice Apple is absent from the list of companies, which is little surprise, since they’re still intent upon pushing MPEG-4/H.264 as the future. Still, in theory, there would be nothing to stop them from creating their own Flash player for the likes of the iPhone and iPod touch, or any other devices they happen to have—you know, if they wanted to.

[via Macworld]


3 Comments

MySchizoBuddy said:

Apple still intent upon pushing MPEG-4/H.264 as the future.
Adobe still intent upon pushing H.264 as the future (in flash).
sounds the same to me.

May 1, 2008 11:48 AM
Dave-O said:

An Apple-implemented Flash could only be a VAST improvement over the current version. Still not sure I want it anywhere near my iPhone.

May 1, 2008 12:56 PM
Antony Watts said:

What I don't understand is the "transport" mechanism, will Adobe still insist on their secret version RTMP to stream flash, or will it be open?

The whole point of Apple using H264 is that it can be an open transport standard in an MPEG-4 container.

And open is what we all want... isn't it?

May 3, 2008 10:05 AM

Leave a comment

 



Visit other IDG sites: