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Adobe Air Puts Companies on Desktops
Techtree News Staff, Feb 25, 2008 1503 hrs ISTAIR enables developers to create RIAs on the desktop using Web technologies such as HTML, Ajax, PDF, Flash, and Flex that they already employ.
Adobe has announced availability of Adobe Integrated Runtime (AIR) and Flex 3 software for developing rich Internet applications (RIAs).
AIR enables developers to create RIAs on the desktop using Web technologies such as HTML, Ajax, PDF, Flash, and Flex that they already employ.
Applications deployed on AIR have the advantages of browser-based RIAs, such as speed of development, ease of use, and access from virtually anywhere. Meanwhile, they also have the benefits of desktop applications, such as the ability to read/write local files, work with other applications on a user's PC, and maintain local data storage on the desktop.
Put simply, AIR is a free and open-source technology that will allow companies with Websites to inhabit a permanent spot on people's desktops, in a way similar to Google's widgets. Consumers can just click on the logo on the desktop, and launch applications that will allow them to do business directly.
For consumers, AIR will reduce the wait time for downloading images and data, because the desktop is constantly updated while the computer is online, according to the Associated Press (AP).
According to Adrian Ludwig, spokesman for Adobe, the AIR application removes any kind of go-between, giving companies a direct, constant and versatile link to the consumer.
Some global brands including AOL; eBay; the Nasdaq Stock Market, the New York Times Company; Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group's Nick.com; and Sharp have reportedly already started deploying applications on AIR.
In addition, Flex is also a free, open-source framework for building highly interactive, expressive RIAs. Flex Builder 3, an Eclipse-based development tool, accelerates Flex application development and includes new capabilities for deploying RIAs on AIR.
Adobe AIR and Flex 3 are now available as free download for both Windows and Mac operating systems at www.adobe.com/go/air and www.adobe.com/go/flex respectively.
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