Adobe AIR 2.5 expanding to Android in Q4

Adobe Systems announced its Adobe AIR 2.5 runtime will launch on Android-powered smartphones during the fourth quarter of 2010. Adobe AIR enables developers to use HTML, JavaScript, Adobe Flash and ActionScript to build web-based applications that run outside the browser--according to Adobe, the Android release will offer developers access to the device's camera, accelerometer, GPS and microphone, also providing hardware GPU acceleration and multi-touch input. Adobe adds AIR 2.5-based applications will be compatible with smartphones running Android 2.2--devices will also require an ARMv7 processor and OpenGL ES 2.0 support.

In a recent interview with The Telegraph, Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen said the company will continue to focus on operating systems like Android and BlackBerry in the wake of its public dustup with Apple, which banned Adobe Flash-based software from its iOS mobile platform. Narayen called into question statements made by Apple CEO Steve Jobs concerning Flash's viability on the mobile platform: "I think we've proven that the technology is not only suitable but it actually significantly enhances the value on these mobile devices," he said. "[Apple has] chosen to keep their system closed and we'd rather work with partners who are interested in working with us. We believe in open systems. We believe in the power of the Internet and in customers making choices... They've made their choice. We've made ours and we've moved on."

For more on AIR 2.5 for Android:
- read this Engadget article

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