Flash may have its critics, particularly in certain smartphone and tablet markets, but Adobe (news, site) is making sure the platform doesn't just fizzle out. Adobe is evolving with the times, and is preparing for when the Web finally adopts the HTML 5 standard. The most recent addition to Adobe's collection of software is code-named Wallaby, which can help developers more easily transition from Flash to HTML 5.
Wallaby is essentially a Flash to HTML 5 converter. Adobe demonstrated the technology preview at the annual MAX event in October 2010, and received positive customer feedback. The software runs on top of Adobe AIR, and will convert Flash professional (FLA) files into HTML 5 format through a drag-and-drop action. Developers can then edit the .HTML output using an editor — such as Adobe's own Dreamweaver — or even by hand.
Adobe is confident that Wallaby will help developers reach out to a wider audience, as HTML 5 will enable a wider distribution of Flash artwork and animation, especially on mobile platforms.
The Dynamics Between Flash, Apple iOS Adobe has particularly pointed out how the technology preview can help developers reach out to platforms such as the Apple iOS. Recall that Apple's Steve Jobs criticized the Flash platform for being a proprietary product and because of security, reliability and performance concerns. Apple excluded Flash support in its iOS platform, citing preference for the HTML 5 standard. This limited Adobe's reach in the smartphone and tablet audience, considering the iPhone's a 27% market share in the smartphone market and the iPad's 90% share in the tablet market.
With Wallaby, developers can convert their Flash content into HTML 5, which is accessible to more devices — assuming, of course, a browser compliant with current HTML 5 specifications.
Full Flash to HTML 5 in the Works
Wallaby outputs HTML 5 content compatible with Webkit-based browsers, meaning Google Chrome, Safari and the iOS browser. However, the conversion does not fully support certain Flash features, such as 3D transforms, ActionScript, Blend Modes, Button Events, Components, certain filters, Inverse Kinematics, Scale 9 graphics, Sound, Strokes and embedded video. This being a technology preview, Adobe expects to support conversion of more Flash features as it develops Wallaby, and as the development team gets feedback from users.
Development on HTML 5 is ongoing, and the W3C expects the standard to take a few years before completion. Still, certain components of HTML 5 are making its way to modern web browsers, both on desktop and mobile platforms.
Will Wallaby help save Flash, after all? This will probably depend on how smoothly Wallaby will be able to convert Flash content into HTML 5. Wallaby is still limited, at its current preview and experimental incarnation. Adobe is hoping that feedback on Wallaby will help the company better understand the types of innovations needed in Adobe's long-term investments in the Flash and HTML 5 technologies.
Interested in Wallaby? You can download it from Adobe Labs.
http://html5community.com/topic/45-adobe-wallaby-converts-flash-into-html-5-bringing-flash-to-iphone-ipad/
Adobe Wallaby Converts Flash into HTML 5, Bringing Flash to iPhone, iPad
Posted by Steaven Labels: html5Consumer electronics giant Roku has announced, the company is planning to bring three versions of the popular Angry Birds to its video-streaming set-top boxes this summer, a report said.
The announcement comes three weeks after a Angry Birds Chrome beta version of the game was launched in The Google’s Chrome Web Store.
The game has efficiently made its mark on Windows PCs as well. Rovio, the Helsinki based developer has launched two versions of the game which are both original and Rio (movie) based, where the characters in the game are kidnapped and taken to Rio de Janeiro, for the Windows platform at $4.95 each. A demo version is also available.
The game will run on any new Windows version and has also been made accessible for users with Windows XP Service Pack 2.
Rovio is already contemplating a third Windows edition called Angry Birds Online but has not provided any date of release. The company had also confirmed on twitter, the popularity of the original mobile version of the game, which reached 10 million downloads in about 10 days from the date of release across iOS and Android platforms, a PCWorld report said.
Cartoon Network is an incredibly popular television network focusing entirely on cartoons. At the network website, the company has created a section of online and downloadable games related to its programming.
Cartoon Network games are mostly online, browser based games. There are over 100 available, free to play at the time of this writing. The titles include games related to Batman, Teen Titans, Tom & Jerry, Scooby Doo, and many more. There are also some downloadable games, called Power Play games, that visitors can download and try for a period of time and then purchase for unlimited play.
Overall the Cartoon Network games site is fairly easy to use and entirely Flash based, giving visitors a very colorful and animated experience. Featured games are presented on the section index page and visitors can navigate through the game menu to see all the titles. Games load quickly in the browser and seem to be mostly ad-free except for a brief ad related cartoon programming while the game is loading.
Bottom Line:
Cartoon Network games won't appeal to every gamer but in no way is the site trying to do that. The games are targeted specifically to their viewing audience and supplement their TV programming well. Selection is good when considering the purpose of the site and its audience. The fact that most games are completely free will appeal to many.
Leading the forefront, Kongregate sticks out among its peers because the première expensive gaming community portal. For individuals individuals who haven't visited Kongregate by yet, think about it as being Xbox 360 Love browser based expensive games.
Having a couple of exceptions, current technical restrictions in expensive pressure designers to produce games that aren't meant to secure your attention for over a couple of hrs. Kongregate fixes this case with the addition of their very own progressing/status system. The games within Kongregate have specific accomplishments that you can to complete. Whenever you accomplish these accomplishments you get points, which enable you to get levels/status. This all of a sudden adds an MMO like dependence on the city. I've found myself constantly checking the number of points I've till a higher level, after which unleashing accomplishments till I achieve that much cla.
Additionally to unleashing accomplishments you may also unlock cards for Kongregates exclusive collectable card game Kongai. Kongregates description of Kongai:
Kongregate's lengthy-looked forward to collectible card game! Greg states, "Card-based tag-team, rock-paper scissors Street Fighter with 10 masterdom 5/5."
Like Miracle, Pokemon, Yui-Gi-Oh, yet others, Kongai offers addictive multiplayer fun for any age.
So that's enough concerning the costs. You'd like to learn concerning the games ... right?
Friv.com is an online-gaming website, the type that offers free games and shows to its visitors. At first, one might think that such a site can only only offer mediacore games, especcially when compared with the top, 5-star games that are lately being released. Obviously I'm not going to deny that, but then again, I don't think Friv was created to compete with these games but rather to offer its users the chance to pass some of their free time playing something that is not complicated, but fun all the same. Without a doubt, Friv has been a huge success as proved by their monthly '21 Million unique users'.
Upon entering the website, one immediately notices the host of different colours that make up the site. Due to some animations, the site has a live feeling to it, motivating you to remain and perhaps even try one of the amusing games. At one side there is a list with the Top 10 Games while on the other side there is the list of the Latest 10 Games to be realesed. The middle of the site is divided into the different categories of games (Sport, Multiplayer, Action & Adventure, Shoot-em Up, Puzzle, Learning) with each part listing the top games in each category.
Friv offers quite a large number of games for its users to play for free. Obviously I cannot describe each and every one, mainly because it would take me over a year to review every game and secondly because I haven't even played all the games yet....and that's saying something since I've known about this site for years. A good thing about this site is that good quality games are quite frequently added and so nobody can really say that he or she is bored of the site. Also the fact that there are multiplayer games means that you're bound to find something different when you play. Be it a funny opponent or an extremely hard challenge, the site is capable of keeping you interested for hours on end. (Though obviously, this is not true for everybody).
The following are my Top 3 games available free of charge at the site.
Tennis Titans - this is a really good tennis game where strange creatures play tennis against each other. The sound and graphics are impressive and can be quite addictive for the little game that it is.
Heli Attack 3 - this is an action adventure game where you play the role of a man who has to constantly shoot things either flying above him or else on the ground. The little soldier you command will have available to himself a host of weapons. The game never ends and so trying to top the High Scoring Charts is a constant challenge
Battle Pong - well everyone knows this game. One ball and two line opposite each other. The point of the game is to hit the ball to the wall behind the opponent's line. Simple yet fun. The graphics are nothing special and the sound is annoying (but you can turn this off) though remarkably I never tire of it.
Friv.com also says that it offers free shows, but to be honest I never really understood what they meant by this. Maybe by shows, they mean strange games like 'Forming your own Rock Band' and stuff like that, but I'm not really sure. So please excuse my ignorance in this aspect :)
A good thing about this site is that you don't have to have an overly powerful computer to run the games (although some of the latest ones do require at least a P4). I don't really know if the games work well with a dial-up connection because I've always had ADSL, but most probably, the performance would suffer greatly unless you decide to download the game to your computer. Unfortunately, this is not always possible....and when it is, it's normally at a (small) price. Some of the games also require some programs such as Active X or Shockwave to work, although this should not be a problem because anyone can easily download these quite quickly.
If you really end up liking the site and what it offers, you can also Join Friv.com. From what i've read, they will send you free games by e-mail. I have not made use of this offer, mianly not to clutter by precious mail-box by needless things. In the site, one can also find a Forum, though you must register to post messages. I didn't really like the Forum because it didn't seem really lively, but then again I don't visit it much....i've got better things to do in my life than discuss online games, hehe :)
Finally, it is said that online gaming will be the next big thing and I totally agree. This is an increasingly growing market and the fact that the games are constantly improving on all fronts means that we can expect some really impressive stuff in the near future.
Friv is a collection of free flash games. The website is not intended as an educational game site for children. There is a kids game section.
Friv.com offers a large assortment of memory games. Many of the games include popular characters. These games are appropriate for even the youngest players. Playing memory games on the computer offers a three to four year old a rewarding experience. Plus, memory games improve a child's thinking skills.
Teaching Six, Seven and Eight Year Olds Math
Elementary school aged children will enjoy using the variety of math flash games to reinforce their math skills. Friv.com offers addition, subtraction and multiplication games with a colorful and playful background.
Friv.com offers a large selection of puzzle and problem solving games to help children develop solving skills. Some of the puzzle games include physics related material, like Ragdoll Cannon. Children have to aim the cannon just right for the doll to fall on letter. The ragdoll used in this game does look like a doll so the violence is kept to a minimum, but some parents may prefer not to use this game.
Other Types of Free Online Games
The kids section of the website offers a large variety of games. Some of the games mimic popular game console’s video games. Children can play free online games that include characters such as Sonic the Hedgehog, Mario, and Pokemon.
Many of these games have an educational element but these are mainly for fun. To find these games, use the search function in the upper right hand corner of the screen, entering the name of the character that is desired.
Is Friv.com Safe for Children to Use; is there Violence?
Friv.com is not a children’s gaming site. There are multitudes of games on this website which depict violence, sometimes graphically. Therefore, close parental supervision is recommended. To find the educational games available it is recommended to use the search function. Using key words like “math”, “puzzles”, “physics” will load the age appropriate games for the elementary school aged child.
The games are bordered with ads by google. These advertisements will open on the existing screen causing children to navigate away from Friv.com easily. There are no advertisements while waiting for games to load.
Friv.com offers a wide selection of educational and age appropriate games but requires parental supervision because the website is not intended for use by children solely.
Vietnam can see opportunities from embedded software outsourcing
Posted by Blog Info Labels: IT DevelopementDeveloping embedded systems and embedded software has become the national policy of many countries in the world. Experts believe that Vietnam has major potential for embedded software outsourcing.
According to OESF (Open Embedded Software Foundation), the global embedded systems market along with embedded software is estimated to be worth 112.5 billion dollars.
Japan is now the biggest embedded software market in the world. Since Vietnam is Japan’s third largest partner in software outsourcing, Vietnamese enterprises have major opportunities to do embedded software outsourcing for Japan.
Android-based creations encouraged
Unlike computers which mostly run on operating systems like Windows or UNIX, embedded systems and embedded software have their own embedded operating systems. The current most popular operation systems used for embedded systems include Embedded Linux, VxWorks, Win CE, Lynyos, BSD, Green Hills, QNX and DOS. Recently, embedded systems and embedded software are being developed based on the Android operation system.
A report by Nielsen shows that using Google’s Android operation system is considered an emerging trend as the operating system now accounts for 30 percent of the market share.
On March 4 at Android Blast Off 2011, a workshop on developing embedded software held in HCM City, Tan Quang Sang, Head of OESF Lab in Vietnam said that in the last few years, Android has become a popular mobile foundation with the backing of Google.
Masataka Muira, Chair of OESF Japan, said that more and more embedded software have been used in making consumer products, including VoIP equipments, mobile phones, digital TV, cameras, GPS systems, music players or healthcare equipments. He said that Japanese technology firms are developing many products that utilize Android-based embedded software.
According to him, Android has great potentials to develop and it has been used for both mobile phones and other electronics manufacturers as an advanced foundation for embedded products.
“Vietnam should not be the outsider of the trend if it wants to develop embedded technology,” he said.
He went on to say that Japan now has high demands for outsourcing embedded software to other countries and many Japanese enterprises came to Vietnam to seek partners. Therefore, Vietnam needs to well prepare to seize the opportunity.
Vietnamese FPT Software (FSoft) has signed a record of cooperation with OESF on developing embedded software based on Android. This could be seen as an opportunity for FSoft to become more deeply involved with the embedded software market and commercialize its products.
Labor force is the key
It is clear that the demand for outsourcing embedded software is very high in the world. However, the number of companies such as FSoft remains very modest.
Experts have pointed out that the biggest problem for Vietnam to grab the opportunity lies in its labor force. As for normal software, a newly graduated engineer has to spend 3-6 months on training courses to fulfill the duties of his job, and he needs 6-12 months more to do embedded software.
According to Phi Anh Tuan, Deputy Chair of the HCM City Informatics Association, Vietnamese companies are now doing the outsourcing for foreign partners in accordance with contracts signed with their partners. Meanwhile, the state has not made any policies relating to the training of a labor force for embedded software. Meanwhile, embedded software has not been taught proficiently at universities and junior colleges.
Agreeing with Tuan, other experts also believe that Vietnam needs to invest in training a qualified labor force for embedded software and pay more attention to research and development (R&D).
Source: Thoi bao Vi Tinh Saigon
