Flash on Mobile Devices: An Introduction to Flash Lite

Flash on Mobile Devices:An Introduction to Flash LiteAn Introduction to Flash Lite

March 15, 2007

Scott Janousek,

Flash Mobile Developerwww.scottjanousek.com/blog

Technical Director,http://www.hookenmobile.com

www.hookenmobile.com

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Special ThanksSpecial Thanks

•• Philip Desenne

i h l h• Nicholas Lamphere

• All in attendance … :)

Please be considerate to others: All mobile devices turned off, or to Silent mode please.


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About MeAbout Me• General Info

– Local to Boston Massachusetts USA– Local to Boston, Massachusetts, USA– Me = Developer first, Designer second– Working with desktop Flash for six years– Flash Mobile Blog

• http://www.scottjanousek.com/blog/

• MobileMobile– Started with Flash Lite 1.1 in 2004– Developing with Flash Lite 1.1, 2.0, 2.1– My mobile company: Hooken Mobile– Flash (Lite) Training Instructor– Coauthor: Foundation Flash Applications for Mobile DevicesCoauthor: Foundation Flash Applications for Mobile Devices

• http://www.flashmobilebook.com/


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Flash LiteFlash Lite Who What WhereWho, What, Where, When How and aWhen, How, and a

bit f “Wh ”wee bit of “Why”


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Part 1The “When” of Flash Lite


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Flash Mobile TimelineFlash Mobile Timeline

PDA’s popular Handsets and consumer electronics popular

Note: Flash Lite 3.0 was announced at the 3GSM 2007 conference


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Part 2Part 2”What” is Flash Lite?What is Flash Lite?


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Mobile Development PlatformsMobile Development Platforms• J2ME

– Java 2 Micro Edition BREW (V i )• BREW (Verizon)– Qualcomm Platform (for games, etc) – C++

• Series 40/Symbian Series 60 (Nokia)– Platform and Operating Systems

• WAP, Mobile Ajax, Opera Platform … others!– (legacy) Mobile Web( g y)

• .NET– Microsoft’s answer to mobile

• Python• Python– Scripting language and runtime player

• Flash Lite– Adobe Flash Player for mobile and devices


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Flash Lite is Mobile, it is also Global!Flash Lite is Mobile, it is also Global!

Millions of handsets and devices shipped WORLDWIDE!devices shipped WORLDWIDE!


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What is Flash Lite?What is Flash Lite?• Adobe Flash Player specifically created for:

M bil h– Mobile phones– Consumer electronic devicesPDAs– PDAs

• It’s for devices with constraints such as: l CPU– slower CPU

– less memoryother limitations found on portables– other limitations found on portables …

• Bottom line?Fl h d diff t d kt d– Flash runs under many different desktop andmobile platforms


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The Flash Lite PlatformThe Flash Lite Platform

• Player profile for Mobile Devices– Client run‐time is the Flash Lite Player

– SWF is output file formatp

• Content Creation Tools• Content Creation Tools– Flash 8 or Flash CS3 Authoring IDE

CDK S d B dl D i– CDKs, Sound Bundler, Documentation

– SWF publishing and emulation

– MORE


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The Flash Lite PlatformThe Flash Lite Platform

• Testing Tools– Flash 8 Mobile Emulator

– Adobe Device Central

• Products/Services• Products/Services– Adobe Flash Home™

Ad b Fl h C ™– Adobe Flash Cast™


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Flash Lite Device PlatformsFlash Lite Device Platforms

• Handset Platforms:– Nokia Series 40, Series 60– Verizon Wireless BREW devicesi d NTT D C M KDDI– i‐mode: NTT DoCoMo, KDDI

– Others …

• Other Portable Device Platforms:– Windows Mobile 5– iRiver Portable Media Players– ChumbyPSP (not Flash Lite but close enough)– PSP (not Flash Lite, but close enough)

– MORE!


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Flash Lite EvolutionFlash Lite Evolution• Flash for Pocket PC

– Custom Flash SDK 6/7 for PDACustom Flash SDK 6/7 for PDA• Flash Lite

– 1.0: animation only (mostly)• i‐mode

– 1.1: data loading support, fscommand2’s• Symbian i‐mode othersSymbian, i mode, others

– 2.0 : Flash Player 7• Symbian, i‐mode, others

2 1 Fl h Pl 7 d– 2.1: Flash Player 7 and more• BREW, Symbian, Windows Mobile 5, others

– 3.0: TBD (native Flash Video support!)• TBD (probably same as 2.1 with other platform additions)


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What is Flash Lite good at?What is Flash Lite good at?

• Animationat o• Casual Games• Mobile Browser Based Flash ApplicationsMobile Browser Based Flash Applications• Flash Lite User Interfaces• Standalone ApplicationsStandalone Applications

– MOBILE LEARNING

• Rich Media (images, sound, video) ContentRich Media (images, sound, video) Content• Device specific Content Types

– Wallpaper, Screen savers, “chaku flash”, othersp p , , ,

• MORE!


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Flash Lite Content TypesFlash Lite Content Types

• SWF (Flash file format) normally standalone orSWF (Flash file format) normally standalone or browser based on the desktop.

• Flash Lite content types are “specialized SWFs”• Flash Lite content types are specialized SWFs

• Common ones are:Standalone Browser

Wallpaper Screen savers

“Chaku Flash” …and many more!

• Availability is based on device, region, etc.y g


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Sample Flash Lite ContentSample Flash Lite Content


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Benefits to utilizing Flash LiteBenefits to utilizing Flash Lite

• Rapid Development• Rapid Development

• Small Deployment File Size (.SWF’s)

• More consistent Runtime and Platform

• Rich Media Support• Rich Media Support– text, images, video, sound, animation

continued


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Benefits to utilizing Flash LiteBenefits to utilizing Flash Lite

• Usability and User Experience• Usability and User Experience

• Less Fragmentation across devices

• Feature Rich Designer/Developer Tools

• Easy to learn (compared to C++ etc)• Easy to learn (compared to C++, etc)

• Active Flash Development Community

• MORE!


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Flash Lite 1.1 FeaturesFlash Lite 1.1 Features

• Based from Flash Lite 1.0 playerp y• Provides Flash Player 4 functionality

– Flash 4 ActionScript syntax (ActionScript “0.5”)• fscommand2 API

– Extends device Operating System integration• Adds new network support (data loading) for• Adds new network support (data loading) for dynamic applications

• Preinstalled on many existing mobile devices inPreinstalled on many existing mobile devices in the marketplace today– Millions of devices are Flash Lite 1.1 enabled


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Flash Lite 1.1 ArchitectureFlash Lite 1.1 Architecture


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Flash Lite 2.x FeaturesFlash Lite 2.x Features• Based on Flash Player 7 *• ActionScript 2 0ActionScript 2.0• Device Video• XML & XML Sockets (2.1 only)• Image Support• Dynamic Media Loading• Mobile Shared Objects• Mobile Shared Objects• Text enhancements• Inline text support pp• Synchronized device sound • Compressed SWFs• … and MORE!

* Note: Not all features found in Flash 7 are found in Flash Lite 2.x. Minor restrictions apply.


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Flash Lite 2.x ArchitectureFlash Lite 2.x Architecture


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Flash Lite 3.0Flash Lite 3.0

• Not released yet!Not released, yet!

• Announced Features: N ti Fl h Vid ( fl ) t– Native Flash Video (.flv) support

– Others … TBD

• Have a feature in mind?– Submission:

• [email protected]

• http://www.adobe.com/go/wish

Feature Discussions: Blog Postings– Feature Discussions: Blog Postings


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Extending Flash LiteExtending Flash Lite

• Flash Lite can integrate with other languages:Flash Lite can integrate with other languages:– J2ME– Pythony– C++– BREW– Others

• Integration methods:g– (socket) connections– fscommand launch– MMI (Flash Lite integration with device)


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(Flash Lite) Mobile Challenges(Flash Lite) Mobile Challenges

• Screen (Size, Pixel Depth)( , p )• Limited Memory• Performance/CPU Speed• Device Fragmentation• Bandwidth• Security• ConnectivityD I• Data Input

• Distribution and Deployment


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Part 3”How” to create

Flash Lite (content)( )


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Flash IDE DemoFlash IDE Demo

• Use Flash IDE to author Flash Lite contentUse Flash IDE to author Flash Lite content


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Flash 8 Mobile Emulator DemoFlash 8 Mobile Emulator Demo


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Adobe Device Central ‐ DemoAdobe Device Central Demo


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Obligatory “Hello World”Obligatory Hello World

• createTextField() //‐‐ FL 2 only () // y

• Example: //-- hello world example createTextField( "helloworld txt" createTextField( helloworld_txt , this.getNextHighestDepth(), 0, 0, 100, 10 ); helloworld_txt.text = "hello world!"; trace( helloworld_txt.text );


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Flash Lite Game DemosFlash Lite Game Demos

Mad Bomber Alien Invasioni i li

• iRiver U10 game

• Handset to iRiver u10

• iRiver Clix game• Development Time: 3 daysFl h Lit 2 0• Handset to iRiver u10

• Porting Time: 1 day

• Flash Lite 2.0• ActionScript 2.0 • OOP (Object based style)

• Flash Lite 1.1

• Timeline driven (Flash 4)

• OOP (Object based style)

• Timeline driven (Flash 4)


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Flash Lite Wallpaper/Screen saverFlash Lite Wallpaper/Screen saver

• “Device Status Animations”Device Status Animations

• Flash Lite 2.0 Wallpaper/Screen saver

d Si l S h i f• Taps Battery and Signal Strength info – display animations based on that

• Target Device: Nokia Series 40 (5300)

• Size is: 240 x 320 (pixels)(p )

• Frames per Second/FPS: 16

• Bitmaps and vectors• Bitmaps and vectors


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Adobe Device CentralAdobe Device Central

• Used in testing Flash Lite content prior to Used test g as te co te t p o todeploying on target device(s)

• Saves precious development timep p• Updatable “Device Profiles” or skins• Device Profilingg

– Memory Estimation– Performance Simulation

• Environmental Testing– outdoors, indoors, etc.

• MORE!


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Part 4Part 4“How” to deployHow to deploy


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Transferring Content to DevicesTransferring Content to Devices

• Methods to get Flash Lite content onto device:et ods to get as te co te t o to de ce:– Bluetooth– Physical Cable– MMC– OTA (over the air)

bil b S S• Mobile Web, SMS

– Infrared– WiFi?WiFi?

• Nokia PC SUITE for Series 40/60 devices• AppLoader for Flash Lite BREW developmentAppLoader for Flash Lite BREW development


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Mobile “Players”Mobile Players

• Subscribers– Purchase handsets, make calls, access data, etc.

• OperatorsDi t ib t t t i f b ib– Distribute content, manage service for subscribers

• Handset and Device Manufacturers– Design and construct the devices and handsetsDesign, and construct the devices and handsets

• Aggregators– Collect content and distribute it (via operators)

• Content Providers/Developers– Create mobile content (games, applications, etc)P d /S i C i• Product /Service Companies– Adobe for instance


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Flash Lite Content DistributionFlash Lite Content Distribution

• File Formats:– .swf– .sis (Symbian Installers), .CAB (Windows Mobile)

Si il t t i d kt• Similar concept to .zip on desktop

• Delivery Methods:– Distribute through WebServerss bu e oug ebSe e s– Adobe Flash Cast– i‐mode (NTT DoCoMo, others)A (H d F M bili h )– Aggregators (Handango, Fun Mobility, others)

– Nokia Content Discoverer– Adobe Flash Lite ExchangeAdobe Flash Lite Exchange– OTA, email, URL, bluetooth, etc.


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Distributing Flash Lite ContentDistributing Flash Lite Content

• OperatorsOpe ato s– Verizon, NTT DoCoMo, others

• Content Providers– Smashing Content, Fun Mobility, Atom Films, others

• Aggregators– Handango, Iguana Mobile, others

• Developers– Worldwide User Groups:

• http://www.flashmobilegroup.org, others!

Flash Lite World Map– Flash Lite World Map:• http://www.scottjanousek.com/flashlitecommunityworldmap


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Part 5Flash Mobile

Products/Services/


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Adobe “Mobile Experience Suite”Adobe Mobile Experience Suite


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Adobe Flash Cast™Adobe Flash Cast

• Has been around since Flash Lite 1.1as bee a ou d s ce as te .• Pushes down SWF’s to devices via servers• SWF content can be almost anythingSWF content can be almost anything

– games, news, etc

• NTT DoCoMo i‐channel– Major installation deployed in Japan– has millions of subscribers– delivers SWF content: news, games, etc.

• Major installation in U.S– estimated 2007 with major carrier


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Adobe Flash Cast™ ArchitectureAdobe Flash Cast Architecture


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Adobe Flash Home ™ • Announced at 3GSM 2007• Flexible, white‐label home screen solution that combines customizable home screens withcustomizable home screens with live data services to provide subscribers with personalized,

i iengaging experiences across handsets.

• Embed data services and activeEmbed data services and active content into home screens and easily promote new services t il d f i k ttailored for various market segments, extending and differentiating your brand in a highly visual way.


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Part 6Part 6”Where” to go nowWhere to go now


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Where to go from hereWhere to go from here• Foundation Flash Applications for Mobile Devices (Book)

• http://www.flashmobilebook.com

• Total Training Flash Lite 2.1 (DVD)• Flash Lite Yahoo Lite

• [email protected]@y g p

• Flash Mobile User Group• http://www.flashmobilegroup.org

• Devnet articlesevnet articles• http://www.adobe.com/devnet/devices

• Alessandro Pace blog:• http://www.biskero.org

• Flash Lite 2.1 training• San Francisco, April 16th 2007 @ Adobe• Boston (June 2007 timeframe?)( )

• Mobile Monday Boston• http://www.momoboston.com


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Flash Mobile Device SmorgasbordFlash Mobile Device Smorgasbord• Flash Lite

Nokia Series 40/60– Nokia Series 40/60– iRiver PMP (u10, e10, Clix)– viliv p1/p2viliv p1/p2– Chumby– Others …

• Custom Flash SDK builds– LeapFrog Leapster– Kodak Easy Share Camera– PSP

k– Pocket PC PDAs– Others ….


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Which Flash Lite device to get?Which Flash Lite device to get?

• First figure out your target mobile platform(s):First, figure out your target mobile platform(s):– Symbian? BREW? Windows Mobile 5? Other?

• Adobe Supported Device List• Adobe Supported Device List:– http://www.adobe.com/mobile/supported_devices

D l d Ad b D i C t l• Download Adobe Device Central– Search device profiles

• Ask recommendations on Flash Lite Groups list– [email protected]


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Summary: Why use Flash Lite?Summary: Why use Flash Lite?• Rapid Mobile Development• Flash Lite content can offer ROI (apps, games, etc)• Millions of devices preinstalled and shipped!M bil U E i i i t t!• Mobile User Experience is important!

• Reducesmobile “fragmentation” issues• Better toolset from Adobe• Better toolset from Adobe

– Flash 9 + Device Central + Flash Lite = “mobile bliss”• Flash Lite Service SolutionsFlash Lite Service Solutions

– Adobe Flash Home ™– Adobe Flash Cast ™

• MORE!


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BFPUG InviteBFPUG Invite

ll f h l h l f• We cover all aspects of the Flash Platform

• URL:– http://www.bfpug.com/

• Where? When? – Meets monthly at New England Institute of Art Brookline Villageg


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My BlogMy Blog

• http://www scottjanousek com/bloghttp://www.scottjanousek.com/blog


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P t 7Part 7Flash Lite Q & AQ & A


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Q & AQ & A

• What are your questions?What are your questions?


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Thanks!


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Technology

Flash on Mobile Devices: An Introduction to Flash Lite