Sneak Peaks into new Adobe Technology – Videos from Adobe MAX

 Technology  1 Response »
Oct 182011
 

Remember the awesome image deblurring technology Adobe showed off during Adobe MAX 2011? Check out the video above. The official videos from Adobe is now available for consumption.

The sneaks are intended to give Adobe MAX 2011 attendees a look at future technologies. These technologies may, or may not, make it into future versions of Adobe products. The demos are currently being hosted on AdobeTV, and include:

  • Image Deblurring – removing blurriness from digital photos caused by camera shake while the pictures were being taken;
  • Local Layer Ordering – a new way for graphic designers to create layered compositions that better reflect the way real world objects act;
  • InDesign Liquid Layout – using InDesign to create high quality magazines that automatically adapt layouts across devices and screen orientation;
  • Near Field Communications in Adobe AIR – using Adobe AIR to create applications that communicate with the physical world;
  • Automatic Synchronization of Crowd Sourced Videos – synchronizing video clips taken with different cameras and from different vantage points into a single immersive video;
  • Reverse Debugging in Flash Builder – the ability to step backwards in time while debugging a Flash application to better find the root cause of bugs;
  • RubbaDub – automatically replacing the dialog of a video clip with separately recorded audio with perfect synchronization;
  • Pixel Nuggets – searching through a large library of images by identifying images that contain the same people, backgrounds, landmarks, etc.;
  • Monocle – a new visual tool to help developers find and fix performance problems in Flash applications;
  • Video Meshes – an entirely new way to edit videos, including the ability to create 3D fly-throughs of 2D videos and change focus and depth of field;
  • GPU Parallelism – using a device’s graphic processing unit (GPU) to accelerate performance of general purpose computing.
I’m excited for the future of Adobe, and the possibilities of what the creative industry can gain from all these new technologies.

Adobe Flash Player 11 and Adobe AIR 3 is now available for download

 Technology  No Responses »
Oct 052011
 

Finally, Adobe Flash Player 11 and Adobe AIR 3 is now available for downloading.

Adobe Flash Player 11 and Adobe AIR 3 introduces Stage 3D, adds support for theater-quality HD video, native 64-bit optimizations, high-quality HD video conferencing, and a powerful, flexible architecture for leveraging native device and platform capabilities. Adobe AIR 3 adds a mass of developer features allowing for further integration into OS capabilities like light sensors and gyroscopes, as well as simpler install process.

 

 

Adobe Announces Flash Media Server 4.5 and Flash Access 3.0

 Enterprise, Technology  No Responses »
Sep 082011
 

With Adobe Flash Media Server 4.5, media publishers are able to expand their mobile reach via Flash-enabled devices and deliver content to Apple’s iPad and iPhone devices. Additionally, Adobe Flash Access 3.0 will enable content owners to deliver on-demand content with massive scale and strict studio-level security across a broad range of devices. The launch of these two solutions are aimed at streamlining the creation to delivery workflow for developers and publishers.

New features of Adobe Flash Media Server 4.5:

  • Delivery to iPad and iPhone enables businesses to use the same media and live streams to deliver full adaptive bit-rate experiences to platforms supporting Flash, as well as Apple devices, including iPad and iPhone.
  • Integrated Content Protection simplifies deployment and reduces infrastructure cost, enabling seamless streaming for advertising-funded online video.
  • On-demand Stream Packaging eliminates the need to prepare and protect assets ahead of time, reducing complexity and storage costs and simplifying publishing for businesses so they can use one set of source video to reach multiple downstream devices.

New features of Adobe Flash Access 3.0:

  • Support on Mobile Devices will include Android tablets and smartphones, as well as other mobile devices.
  • Scalable License Delivery and in-band Key Rotation enables Multichannel Video Programming Distributors (MVPDs) and programmers to offer television experiences over IP, whether over the open Internet or on a managed network, at massive scale.
  • Compatibility with Industry Standards including UltraViolet, an industry-standard cloud-based digital rights locker system that will allow consumers to create personal virtual video libraries and access them across multiple devices.

Motorola XOOM Android 3.1 Update on 29th July

 Technology  No Responses »
Jul 292011
 

Get ready your Motorola XOOM and Motorola XOOM WiFi, fellow Singaporeans! You’ll be receiving an update from Android™ 3.0 to Android™ 3.1 over the air TODAY! This update provides exciting enhancements to enable users to get more from their Motorola XOOM and makes it even easier to create a PC-like environment for business users.

The over-the-air upgrade will trigger a notification window with the option for users to download the update immediately or at a later date. It can thereafter be downloaded manually by going to “Settings > About Tablet > System Updates”. The upgrade is about 40MB in size.

The most notable of the new features, the 3.1 update activates the SD card slot so users can expand the memory of their Motorola XOOM up to 64GB, with the addition of a 32GB SD card. This update also includes improved multi-tasking, providing instant visual access to a large number of applications as well as resizable home screen widgets.

Key highlights for Android 3.1 include:

  • Improved multi-tasking providing instant visual access to a larger number of applications
  • Resizable home screen widgets for Gmail, Calendar and Browser
  • Both keyboard and mouse support, which allows simultaneous input for devices over Bluetooth® (in any combination)
  • Support for most PC joysticks and gamepads that connect over USB or Bluetooth
  • Picture transfer directly from camera, so users can connect their cameras over USB and import their pictures to the Gallery with a single touch
  • New high-performance Wi-Fi lock lets applications maintain high-performance Wi-Fi connections even when the device screen is off
  • Preloaded Adobe® Flash® Player, as well as File Manager.

Blackberry Playbook Available in Singapore in June (Pre-order now)

 Technology  5 Responses »
Jun 102011
 

The BlackBerry PlayBook is a dual core, multi-processing, multi-tasking, ultra-thin, enterprise-ready, performance-grade tablet. Perfect for either large organisations or an “army of one”, the BlackBerry PlayBook is designed to give users what they want, including uncompromised web browsing with full Adobe Flash support, true multitasking and high performance multimedia, while also providing advanced security features, out-of-the-box enterprise support and a breakthrough development platform for IT departments and developers.

Customers can pre-register the BlackBerry PlayBook from 9th June 2011 onwards and will be available for customers to pick-up within the month.

Pre-order prices from Harvey Norman:

  • 16GB @ S$668
  • 32GB @ S$798
  • 64GB @ S$928

Key Features:

  1. Ultra portable (7″), ultra thin (1cm) and super convenient (425g) for both work and play
  2. Multitasking powerhouse (1 GHz dual-core processor)
  3. Uncompromised Web Browsing (HTML5 and Adobe Flash 10.1)
  4. High Performance Multimedia (Dual HD cameras, HDMI-out port)
  5. BlackBerry Integration (Blackberry Bridge)
  6. Enterprise Ready (BIS and BES support)
  7. QNX Neutrino Reliability
  8. An OS Built for Developers


From Blackberry Playbook, posted by Justin Lee on 6/10/2011 (16 items)

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Generated by Facebook Photo Fetcher


Introducing HTC Flyer (Video)

 Technology  1 Response »
Apr 012011
 

HTC posted this new video on HTC Flyer describing the features and unique qualities of the HTC Flyer, HTC’s 7″ Tablet device running a new version of Gingerbread.

Features are as follows:

  • Aluminium unibody design
  • Big screen you can take anywhere (7″)
  • Unlock the all new HTC Sense experience
  • Video playback support (Flash + HTML 5)
  • HTC Scribe Technology (capacitive stylus)
    • Digital ink
    • Write on anywhere
    • Notate on books, comment on documents, or sign contracts
    • Highlight text or jot down notes in books
  • Takes great videos or photos
  • Wifi printing
  • Note down every detail
    • Write detailed notes
    • Add a scribble
    • Add a picture
    • Record audio (crystal clear audio recording)
    • Links the notes with meeting in your calendar
    • Turn your calendar into a detailed archive of your meeting notes
    • Playback the audio recording exactly at the time you wrote on your meeting notes
    • Sync with Evernote
  • High quality front camera and video calling
  • HTC Watch
    • View trailers and movie selections
    • On demand, uninterrupted playback
  • Twin speakers + virtual surround sound
  • Serious gaming on the go

I really love the note taking app and the HTC Scribe Technology. I must say they’ve come a long way with their new philosophy.

BlackBerry PlayBook to support BlackBerry Java and Android apps

 Technology  No Responses »
Mar 262011
 

RIM recently announced that their BlackBerry Playbook is able to “run” BlackBerry Java and Android apps thanks to a high degree of API compatibility BlackBerry Tablet OS (QNX Neutrino). Developers simply need to just repackage, code sign and submit their BlackBerry Java and Android apps to BlackBerry App World. The new optional app players will be available for download from BlackBerry App World and will be placed in a secure “sandbox” on the BlackBerry PlayBook where the BlackBerry Java or Android apps can be run.

Other development support includes:

  • Native C/C++ development support added, in addition to HTML5, Flash and AIR support
  • Support from leading game engines: Ideaworks Labs (AirPlay) and Unity Technologies (Unity 3)

For more information on the BlackBerry Tablet OS and BlackBerry PlayBook developing, visit http://us.blackberry.com/developers/tablet/

Play Master Of The Web Game with Internet Explorer 9

 Technology  1 Response »
Mar 242011
 

Internet Explorer 9 is one of the biggest step for Internet Explorer, the widely used browser, offering various improvements to enhance the experience of the web.

Notably:

  • Site-Pinning, Jump-Lists, Aero-snap
  • Enhanced GPU acceleration making amazing graphics possible
  • Tracking Protection and SmartScreen malware protection

Now, you can win some prizes by installing Internet Explorer 9 on your Windows 7 machine and playing, Master Of The Web, a fully graphics accelerated HTML 5 compliant game on your browser without the use of any plugin like Adobe Flash or Microsoft Silverlight.

Why Adobe might fail with Flash 10.1 on Android

 Technology  3 Responses »
Aug 032010
 

Adobe Flash 10.1 was officially released at the end of June for Android phones. However, I have not seen any existence of a release even up to now. The reason? Adobe decided to let the phone manufacturers release Flash 10.1 with their Android 2.2 update.

Original Plan

When Google announced the capabilities and availability of Adobe Flash 10.1 Beta during Google IO a few months ago, it was impressive and running smoothly on the Nexus One. Adobe Flash 10.1 Beta was available on the Android Market for phones. Those Android 2.2 capable phones, like the leaked version of Android 2.2 on the Nexus One, were able to download this installation directly from the Android Market and get Adobe Flash 10.1 on their phones. All was good, and I thought Adobe was going to release their Adobe Flash 10.1 similarly, allowing consumers to download or more importantly update their Flash player.

Failed Strategy

During the times of Adobe Flash Lite, when Adobe half heartedly released a mobile version of their Flash player, Adobe let manufacturers decide and test whether if their phones were capable of running Flash Lite. The onus was on the phone manufacturers to make sure that Flash Lite worked properly. Adobe did not manage this properly and manufacturers didn’t have any incentives to actually provide a good Flash experience, which resulted in an utter failure of Flash Lite in majority of the phones out there. Then Apple came and said Adobe Flash is redundant in today’s web. Adobe defended but damage was already done.

Lessons not learnt

Google had the same problems with Google Maps and other Google applications that came with the phone. It was bundled together with Android 1.5 and that made it difficult for Google to quickly fix bugs, release new features to older versions that aren’t yet obsolete. Google realized this and separated their Google Maps and other Google applications bundled with the phone with their Android operating system, released it on the Android market, and controlling the updates and releases to their different phones and OS versions. Now, consumers benefit from the constant updates of Google Maps, keeping their phones relevant and updated without relying on the sluggish speed of manufacturers pushing out updates.

Adobe, once tried and failed, is again making the same mistake by giving the power to the phone manufacturers to distribute Flash 10.1 for Android.

Possible Comeback

As seen by Google’s success with unbundling their apps away from the manufacturers and the Android operating system, Google has successfully fixed bugs and update their Google Maps and other apps quickly, bringing new features constantly, out-of-band from the manufacturers’ updates.

Proven and successful by Google, Adobe should distribute their Adobe Flash 10.1 for Android through the manufactures during the Android 2.2 Froyo update, together with offering it on the Android Market for those Adobe Flash 10.1 capable phones to install, should the manufacturers somehow not distribute or deliver a quality build. This allows the distribution, and the ability to update new versions and bug fixes to your consumers directly without being at the mercy of phone manufacturers.

Vote of No Confidence

I was once a supporter of Flash being on smart phones, but with the availability of Adobe Flash 10.1 for Android not dictated by Adobe, I’ve lost all confidence in Adobe. Until they start distributing their Adobe Flash 10.1 for Android through the market, I will support Apple’s position to use HTML5 for mobile device development instead of even considering the possibility of Flash.

For those who own the Nexus One and got the Froyo update, I’m sad to say you might not get the full goodness of Flash 10.1 Final except from what they currently have on the market, Adobe Flash 10.1 BETA 3, which might be good enough. Unless Google decides to push it out as an update.