Close to 50 major mobile technology and content development companies are working with the Adobe-led Open Screen Project (OSP) to provide a consistent runtime environment across mobile phones, desktops and other consumer electronic devices. The project has expanded to include major new members such as Google and RIM, an enhanced OSP partnership with Nokia and a host of new applicants seeking cash support from the Open Screen Project Fund.Adobe has announced the expansion of the Open Screen Project (OSP)
to include major new members such as Google and RIM, an enhanced
partnership with Nokia in support of OSP, and a host of new applicants
for funding by the Open Screen Project Fund.
In an interview with eWEEK, Adrian Ludwig, Adobe's group product
marketing manager for the Flash Platform, said the Open Screen Project
started with 16 partners in May of 2008. However, at its Adobe MAX 2009
conference in Los Angeles on Oct. 5, Adobe is talking up the momentum
OSP has gained.
The Open Screen Project, led by Adobe, includes
close to 50 industry leaders working together to provide a consistent
runtime environment across mobile phones, desktops and other consumer
electronic devices. The initiative addresses the challenges of Web
browsing and standalone applications on a broad range of devices, and
removes the barriers to publishing content and applications seamlessly
across screens.
Participants in the OSP initiative include Antena 3, Atlantic
Records, ARM, BBC, Burda, Cell, Chungwha Telecom, Cisco, Comcast, Conde
Nast, Daum, Disney Interactive, Fox Mobile, Google, HTC, Intel, LG
Electronics, Lionsgate, Marvell, Motorola, MTV Networks, NBC Universal,
Nokia, NTT DoCoMo, NVIDIA, OpenTV, Palm, Paramount, QNX Software
Systems, Qualcomm, Stern.de, RIM, RTL, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Texas
Instruments, The New York Times, Toshiba, Verizon Wireless, Ziilabs and
many others.
Adobe and RIM announced that they are working together to bring
Adobe Flash Player support to the BlackBerry platform. In addition, RIM
is joining the Open Screen Project. And the collaboration is expected
to bring the full Flash Player browser runtime to BlackBerry
smartphones.
"As an industry leader for innovative smartphones and wireless
solutions, RIM delivers superior mobile user experiences to customers
around the world," said David Wadhwani, general manager and vice
president, Flash Platform Business Unit at Adobe, in a statement. "Its
a natural fit for both companies to work together to bring Flash
technology-based video and Web content to BlackBerry smartphone users."
"As part of the Open Screen Project, RIM will be working with Adobe
to deliver a great Flash technology experience on BlackBerry
smartphones and to enable users to enjoy the exciting content and
services that Flash technology developers and content creators are
bringing to the Web," said Alan Brenner, senior vice president at
Research In Motion, also in a statement.
Google also has joined the Open Screen Project and Adobe has
announced its intent to put full Flash Player support on Google's
Android operating system.
"We are excited to join Adobe and other industry leaders in the Open
Screen Project," said Sundar Pichai, vice president of Product
Management at Google, in a statement. "This initiative supports our
common goal to move the Web forward as a platform and to spur
innovation in the industry through technology such as Adobe Flash."
Also at Adobe MAX on Oct. 5, Nokia and Adobe announced more
than 35 funded multi-screen applications as part of the joint Open
Screen Project Fund. Both companies also introduced new Nokia Web
Runtime (WRT) extensions for Adobe Dreamweaver CS4 software making the
creation of mobile WRT widgets for supported Nokia devices easier than
ever. Together with the Ovi Store by Nokia, developers and designers
have an easy way to engage, build and publish their content to Nokia
mobile device customers around the world.
Meanwhile, the $10 million Open Screen Project Fund, announced in
February 2009, is actively accepting new submissions until the end of
2010. Developers can apply via www.openscreenproject.org or
openscreen.forum.nokia.com. During the Adobe MAX conference, Adobe and
Nokia will demonstrate several of the applications. They include:
Twittle, Flash Widgets, LLC - Twittle is a robust twitter client.
MyFestival Guide, Little Big Ideas - The MyFestival Guide is an
interactive moving map and guide to the second largest music festival
in Europe, the Roskilde Festival.
SmartGrooves, Storer Communications Ltd. SmartGrooves is a
creative entertainment application using Flash technology to deliver
interactive multimedia.
MileBlaster, CTM Holdings MileBlaster tracks your frequent flyer miles against award goals.
UvLayer, Unknown Vector UvLayer lets users curate their digital media through an immersive multi-screen interface.
LiveTalkBack, Greys Mead Ltd LiveTalkBack collects real-time audience feedback to content publishers and broadcasters.
TckTckTck Campaign, Moterosa The Tck Tck Tck Campaign hopes to
engage and inspire millions of people around the world to join a
growing movement against global warming.
In addition, for developers, the Nokia WRT Extensions for
Dreamweaver CS4 software include the Web Developers Library, widget
import capabilities, widget wizard, widget preview, debugging and
deployment features. And the updated tools support touch screens; "Home
screen" publishing functionality on the Nokia N97 and the recently
announced Nokia N97 mini; and Platform Services which enable the
simulation of contacts, location, calendar, contacts and other APIs in
applications.
Moreover, Ludwig said about 40 percent of all new phones in 2008
shipped with Flash technology and Nokia has shipped more than 400
million devices with Flash technology to date. Developers and designers
can take advantage of this global reach by publishing their content to
Ovi Store and the Adobe AIR Marketplace for consumers to download and
experience, the companies said. With content ranging from applications,
games, videos, podcasts, productivity tools and Web, to location-based
services and much more, Ovi Store offers Flash developers a unique
opportunity to target customers and monetize their content.
"The Open Screen Project Fund has received developer submissions
from over 60 countries," said Purnima Kochikar, vice president of Forum
Nokia. "With the Open Screen Project Fund, easy to use development
tools and distribution through Ovi Store, times have never been better
for Flash technology developers."
Application Development 
