Adobe to offer Flash to Honeycomb Tablets soon

Adobe says Flash support for tablets based on Google's upcoming "Honeycomb" version of the Android operating system will be available "within a few weeks".

Honeycomb is the first version of Android designed for tablet PCs and is eagerly anticipated. Motorola's Xoom tablet will launch on Thursday as the first to run the software, but initial versions won't come with flash support. Verizon, which is putting it on sale, previously said Flash would be available in "spring 2011."

The vague time reference had people fearing flash wouldn't be available until the end of the season, but a posting on Adobe's blog points to a slightly earlier release.

"Consumers are clearly asking for Flash support on tablet devices and the good news is that they won't have to wait long. We are aware of over 50 tablets that will ship in 2011 supporting a full web experience including Flash support and Xoom users will be among the first to enjoy this benefit," wrote Matt Rozen, on Adobe's Flash Platform Blog.

Adobe said version 10.2 of its flash player will be offered as a download or preinstalled on some tablets launching later in 2011. Adobe has said that Flash Player 10.2 will offer users of dual-core tablets and smartphones HD Flash video and up to 30 frames per second video performance.

The blog posting appears to be aimed at a number of critics who have recently suggested it might put people off buying them.

Daniel Ionescu from PC World noted the Motorola Xoom is seen by many as the first real rival to Apple's iPad, yet it may be a "hard sell" due to its hefty US$800 price tag and lack of Flash.

Support for Adobe Flash Player software is seen as a major advantage for rivals to Apple's iPad because Apple has eschewed the technology, which has found widespread use as a video streaming format.

Steve Jobs listed several reasons why Apple does not allow Flash on iPods, iPhones or iPads in a public posting last April, including a drain on battery life and that more modern offerings work better.

Adobe defended itself by posting data of its own and taking out full page ads in major newspapers.

Adobe expects to see Flash installed on over 132 million devices by the end of this year, saying the company had raised its estimates for 2011.

Adobe launches Project Rome

Adobe has launched Project Rome, a new all-in-one content creation and publishing application targeted to consumers, small businesses, and educators. Designed as an easy-to-use tool for non-professionals, it provides a way for the general public to create rich multimedia documents without having to purchase or learn complicated desktop publishing, design, Web creation, or multimedia applications.

This product lets users produce printed, electronic, and Web-based documents featuring integrated graphics, photos, text, video, audio, animation, and interactivity. The cross-platform application is available both as an Adobe AIR desktop program and as a browser-based Web service. Project Rome offers output in formats such as PDF, SWF, JPG, PNG, SVG, or FXG or Web files for either an Adobe or third-party-hosted Website.

Users can create projects ranging from printed materials like flyers, business cards, and reports to interactive documents, basic Websites, and animations. Adobe envisions Rome being used in the workplace for presentations, marketing materials, online advertising, and Websites. Individuals and families can use Project Rome for vacation updates, family Websites, party invitations, digital scrapbooks, CD and DVD covers, and other personal projects. Educators can use a special version of Project Rome in classroom settings to help convey complex topics visually.

Project Rome supports cloud-based computing and the ability to share files via Adobe Acrobat.com, Google Apps, or via the Project Rome Template Exchange. Users can also publish links to their creations directly via Facebook, Twitter, and Google buzz. Project Rome does not currently work on mobile phones and devices.

There are two versions of Project Rome: one for the general public for home and business use and the other, called Project Rome for Education, targeted to K-12. Common features to both versions include working with a full range of media types and a full range of formats and projects.

The consumer version allows for Adobe ID log-in, Web hosting, and Community Exchange. Project Rome for Education requires the institution to have Google Apps for Education and/or the Moodle learning management system previously installed. Project Rome for Education also supports Internet content protection and IT infrastructure requirements.

Project Rome is available now as a free preview, and Adobe seeks feedback from users before launching the app commercially. It is currently available only in English in the United States. Pricing for the shipping version has not yet been determined. However, when it is released, Project Rome will be offered as a paid subscription service.