Adobe, ARM, and Qualcomm, among a host of several other players in the telecommunications and entertainment industry, are teaming up to develop and launch the Open Screen Project. If you aren’t familiar with the OSP, we’ll brief you on what it is and what it means for both developers and consumers. It is going to change the future of rich Internet content and media and how it will be delivered to consumers. With the OSP, users will be able to see and share videos, pictures, and other content across all devices and platforms from set-top boxes, computers,to mobile devices. The project is spearheaded by Adobe, but it will certainly be no small feat. Several big players will be joining the software giant, notably ARM, Qualcomm, Cisco, Intel, NTT DoCoMo, Verizon Wireless, and all the major mobile device manufacturers. Major content providers such as MTV Networks, BBC, and NBC Universal will also be supporting the project. For more information and a video explaining the Open Screen Project, hit the jump.
This week, Adobe will be announcing the project and its future at the Max Developers Conference. They will be teaming up with ARM to optimize Flash 10 for devices beyond desktops and notebooks, such as mobile phones. The focus is to enable a runtime environment that will break down barriers that have plagued developers in the past. Adobe’s aim, with Flash and Adobe Air, is to create a development environment that will allow the publishing of content across multiple devices and browsers. In addition to Adobe and ARM’s joint effort in doing this, Qualcomm will be releasing the BREW 1.0 SDK and will integrate Flash technology. Those familiar with BREW will see just how large a role Qualcomm will play as BREW is their current solution for developing and delivering rich content through wireless data.
The Max Developers Conference will also feature a demonstration of Flash 10 on an ARM smartphone! Currently, ARM supplies processors and hardware for almost 90% of mobile phones on the market. Many consumers have complained that several applications and websites are incompatible with their phones, and that will all soon change. ARM is also working to make sure that Flash optimization will include battery-life performance, as it is going to be one of the primary concerns of most consumers.
The Open Screen Project has launched May 1, 2008 with the likelihood that BREW and Flash 10 devices will be available in the second half of 2009. In addition to the launch of the OSP, software and applications will be developed enabling users to share their videos, pictures, and music, such as Photoshop Mobile (which we will be providing an in-depth review of very soon). Ultimately, the goal of the Open Screen Project, with the collaboration between Adobe, ARM, Qualcomm and the several companies supporting the project, is to deliver an interactive and universal user experience across all devices. With the tremendous amount of support for the Open Screen Project, and the teaming of major software and hardware companies, expect the future of rich media to change dramatically.
