The news from bsquare keeps coming on the Android front, last month they announced that they will deliver a port of Flash for Android devices.  To set the record straight that announcement related to Adobe Mobile Client, a Flash Player designed for user interfaces.

Yesterday their announcement was for bringing Flash Lite 3.1.7 to a new Dell Mini Inspiron range of devices.  It’s not clear from their announcement exactly what they’ll be using it for but I’d guess Web Browsing, which is very exciting.

For those who don’t know, the features between Flash Lite 3.0 and Flash Lite 3.1 are all to enable better web browsing on devices.  We added features like FlashVars support, html text and img tag support among others covering right up to Flash 9 with AS2 only.  When we shipped that release we could render 92% of all web content, giving us extra time to enable AS3 support on devices.

bsquare a number of partners in the mobile and consumer electronics space, we really need their help in porting the Flash Platform and driving demand for solutions in unexpected places!

Anyone own the Yacht, Airbus inflight entertainment system or Jaguar car with Flash Lite?

What’s being announced?

• Flash shipped on 1 Billion devices (cummulative): Flash Lite shipped on 40% of all new handsets in 2008
• Public beta of the Distributable Player solution – the ability to distribute mobile apps with the latest Flash Lite runtime
• Launch of m.adobe.com with leading content providers
• The Flash Lite Developer Challenge – a contest with cash prizes totaling $100,000
• The Open Screen Project Fund – a $10 Million market development fund open to developers worldwide
• Palm joins the Open Screen Project – “Palm joins the Open Screen Project and intends to ship Flash 10 on devices”

What is the Distributable Player? For the first time, developers can:
·        Target the latest version of the Flash Lite player, leveraging the content-triggered download model people are familiar with on the web, but for standalone applications.
·        Reach millions of open OS smart phones through direct-to-consumer distribution, new off-deck aggregator partners (GetJar, Thumbplay & Zed), or existing distribution channels.  OTA is available in US, UK, India, Spain and Italy with more following quickly, anyone can download the player from Adobe Labs if OTA is not available.

Developers get 67% (Thumbplay) and 70% (Zed) of net revenues when selling their applications, an typical application sells for $4.  Applications distributed by GetJar are free and can be supported by advertising, useful for projects where free/wide distribution is required.

Call to action:
·        Click here <http://www.adobe.com/go/distribute>  to get started creating, packaging and distributing Flash Lite 3.1 apps today!
·        Submit apps to the Flash Lite Developer Challenge <http://www.flashlitedeveloperchallenge.com/>  contest for a chance to win cash prizes, software and distribution deals with leading aggregators

What is the Open Screen Project Fund?
The Open Screen Project Fund is a $10 million market development fund that will provide grants to developers in order to accelerate the creation of apps, content and services that leverage the Adobe Flash Platform and run across mobile, desktop and consumer electronics devices.

Developers around the world are invited to submit their ideas. Proposals will be reviewed by an Open Screen Project Fund steering committee. We are seeking applications that work across devices, and showcase the key features of Flash Lite, Flash Player and AIR. While the apps do not have to run across all three screens (desktop, mobile and CE devices), at a minimum a mobile version is required. Additional criteria can be found in the FAQ on the website.

Call to action:
·        Apply today in order to receive funding