Thursday, May 01, 2008

Open Screen Project

I'm not sure what all this means:

To support this mission, and as part of Adobe’s ongoing commitment to enable Web innovation, Adobe will continue to open access to Adobe Flash technology accelerating the deployment of content and rich Internet applications (RIAs). This work will include:

- Removing restrictions on use of the SWF and FLV/F4V specifications - Publishing the device porting layer APIs for Adobe Flash Player - Publishing the Adobe Flash® Cast™ protocol and the AMF protocol for robust data services - Removing licensing fees - making next major releases of Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR for devices free [...]

“Consumers always want more from their devices,” said Doug Fisher, Intel Vice President and General Manager, System Software Division. “Flash Player already reaches the vast majority of Internet-connected computers, and our deep technical collaboration with Adobe will optimize Flash technology and Adobe AIR across a broad range of devices, including a version of Adobe AIR for the Mobile and Internet Linux project, moblin.org. Intel’s broad and rich hardware and software ecosystem combined with Adobe’s Open Screen Project will help us deliver a full Internet experience, whether it be in your pocket, on your lap, at the office or in your living room.”

I mean, I suppose it is bad news if you're holding out hope that Flash will just go away. Otherwise, it is probably moderately positive news.

Note that the issues around Flash video are very complicated. In particular, as I understand it, and I don't understand it well, patents on the video codecs used are a big stumbling block, and it isn't clear to me one way or another how that comes into play here.

1 comment:

Albertas Agejevas said...

Meh, I'd say they're just responding to competitive pressure from Microsoft Silverlight.