DIGG IT! Building cross platform desktop software is very hard, well at least it was. Adobe AIR 1.0 launched this morning and I think it is going to change the face of software. AIR solves some key problems with desktop software and I wanted to touch on the big themes in the release.
One file, many platforms!
AIR applications are deployed as a single AIR file that works identically cross-platform. The api's within AIR are identical across different operating systems so any application behavior will work the same regardless of where it is running. Regardless if you use HTML/AJAX or Flash/Flex to build your application the API's are identical and run on MAC/WIN/LIN without issue.
Seamless application update
Updating desktop software is hard. It is one of the primary advantages of browser based applications in that users always get the latest version with every page view. AIR has an auto-update api that allows a developer to simply publish a new AIR file and upgrade all users running the application. Typically application update is part of the installer process but with AIR this is all built in. Security is also integrated so that only a signed AIR file matching the original can update the installed software. This makes updating deployed software easy.
Signed applications
AIR supports application signing from Verisign and Thawte. Security is important and end users need to trust who created an application.
Foundation for better...
AIR allows web developers to do more and provides API's to allow for deeper integration with both the desktop and the web. Developers can leverage local databases (SQLLlite), integrate with any TCP/IP server with Binary Sockets, fine tune the user interfaces and user interaction with drag/drop and local file systems. This foundation for better is available to anyone who wants to build an application for free.
Large compatible market
Adobe AIR provides developers with the largest compatible deployable market for applications. If you want your application to be widely deployable first, then AIR is the platform for you. The thing is that AIR today supports all the core features for 80+% of applications in the market today. As we move forward those APIs will expand to encompass more software use cases. The key is that any user, independent of their operating system or web browser, can have the exact same experience with the deployed software.
I am looking forward to seeing what you you make with AIR. I firmly believe that this software platform is going to change how we create and deploy software. In a sense the desktop has returned as a place to make widely deployable applications.
Cheers,
Ted :)
What's funny, for me, is the eyes that open up when I say AIR runs on Linux now and your one app compiled runs on all platforms, then I notice some extra excitement. That's cool to me, is seeing that.
Is Linux really supported?
AIR even on Win/Mac is cool, but I think it's greatest stride will be the release of the Linux runtime (which I can only hope is soon). Having been to the AIR Tour in Vancouver and 360|Flex in Seattle, I've seen a lot of the benefits and cool stuff AIR can do. Can't wait to start utilizing it in ways to improve my daily computing.
Cab you tell me the difference between FB3_mac.dmg and FB3_WWEJ.dmg posted on adobe.com?
What I think is cool about it, is its timing.
Flex 2 and Actionscript have been out long enough to know most of the Flash player's methods and capabilities.
I now have the ability to create niftly little applications that suit my own personal needs.
I for example have a torrent client on my server. I wanted to open files on my own computer as if it had a torrent client. Using the as3httpclient and some basic flex skills I created that application!
Timing with AIR has been great. Thanks to the developers of the Flash player, Flex framework, Flex Builder and AIR runtime! (oh and dont forget the people who do the documentation)
Greetz Erik
Tea, if it follows the Windows versions, the WWEJ file will expand to FB3_mac.dmg. I think it's just a highly compressed, self extracting zip.
Why it won't?
Everything you listed was available since March 2001 with Java WebStart.
Please fix Flash 9 for Linux, so we have a chance to get it running on FreeBSD as well and later have AIR there too.
What CPU platforms other than basic 32-bit x86 does "Linux support" actually mean?
- Andrew
Is it possible to run an air application without installing anything? (I want to create a web app handling a database and I'm considering AIR, but I don't want the users to install anything at all, they should just be able to browse into a page).