Starting next month, Firebox will finally join the coup to banish Adobe Flash use, by blocking content that is deemed none-essential. This includes Flash elements that aren’t visible to the end user. As a result, Mozilla says, Firefox users will experience less issues with Flash crashing or causing the browser to hang. Battery life, page load speeds, Firefox’s responsiveness, and overall security will all be improved as well.
For those users that still want to enjoy Flash enabled sites, you know the ones that haven't moved to the new generation, Mozilla promises that Firefox will still support legacy Flash content. In order minimize website compatibility problems, the changes are initially going to be limited to a short, curated list of Flash content that can be replaced with HTML. So users won't suddenly be left in the dark. However, Mozilla says it will add more Flash
content to the block list in the future, meaning site owners will eventually need to keep up with the times and change their content delivery systems.
Mozilla notes that over the past few years, Firefox has implemented Web APIs to replace
functionality that was formerly provided only by plugins. This includes
audio/video playback and streaming capabilities, clipboard integration,
fast 2D and 3D graphics, WebSocket networking, and microphone/camera
access. As websites have switched from Flash to other web technologies,
the plugin crash rate in Firefox has dropped significantly:
Starting next year Firefox will require click-to-activate approval from users
before a website activates the Flash plugin for any content. Websites
that currently use Flash or Silverlight for video or games should plan
on adopting HTML technologies as soon as possible. Firefox currently
supports encrypted video playback using Adobe Primetime and Google Widevine as alternatives to plugin video.
Most of the major players including Google, Apple and Microsoft have all already implemented plans to phase out or completely end support for Adobe's Flash plugin. Largely citing security concerns as the plugin has notoriously been riddled with security vulnerabilities. Over the past several years Flash has been one of the most targeted exploits for hackers.
Showing posts with label adobe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label adobe. Show all posts
Thursday, July 21, 2016
Wednesday, July 08, 2015
Security Alert: Leaked Hacking Team Flash Exploit Already In Use Patch Flash Now
The recent hacking and subsequent leak of more than 400GBs of data from the 'Hacking Team', which is known for working with governments worldwide, has turned up several major pieces of information both on the good and bad side. One little piece that the team was sitting on was a previously unknown, un-patched Flash zero day exploit which could allow attackers to remotely execute code on a targeted computer.
According to security researchers it has taken less than a day for the new exploit to spread throughout the hacking community and be put in to use. By Tuesday afternoon, the critical flaw was added to several major commercially available exploit kits and was being targeted in the wild by an array of malware titles.
Adobe Systems has already confirmed the vulnerability, which received the identifier CVE-2015-5119 and is active in Flash versions 18.0.0.194 and earlier. Fortunately Adobe has worked quickly to get an update together that should mitigate any threat.
Adobe came out today with the APSB15-16 security bulletin and update providing patches for 36 security vulnerabilities in Adobe Flash Player, including this latest threat. The update should be currently available for all users of Flash on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux systems. Adobe has credited Google's Project Zero and Morgan Marquis-Boire, director of security, First Look Media, for reporting the critical bug and working to protect Flash users.
If for some reason the Adobe update is not available for you, or you can install it users are advised to enable the click-to-play feature in browsers that support it, like Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, or to disable the Flash Player plug-in in their browser.
According to security researchers it has taken less than a day for the new exploit to spread throughout the hacking community and be put in to use. By Tuesday afternoon, the critical flaw was added to several major commercially available exploit kits and was being targeted in the wild by an array of malware titles.
Adobe Systems has already confirmed the vulnerability, which received the identifier CVE-2015-5119 and is active in Flash versions 18.0.0.194 and earlier. Fortunately Adobe has worked quickly to get an update together that should mitigate any threat.
Adobe came out today with the APSB15-16 security bulletin and update providing patches for 36 security vulnerabilities in Adobe Flash Player, including this latest threat. The update should be currently available for all users of Flash on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux systems. Adobe has credited Google's Project Zero and Morgan Marquis-Boire, director of security, First Look Media, for reporting the critical bug and working to protect Flash users.
If for some reason the Adobe update is not available for you, or you can install it users are advised to enable the click-to-play feature in browsers that support it, like Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, or to disable the Flash Player plug-in in their browser.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Adobe Offers 45 Min Video For Photoshop Beginners
For those that are new to Photoshop the experience can quickly become overwhelming. Even with its much more friendly design and more intuitive tools Photoshop is still an immensely powerful program with a fairly steep learning curve. The sheer volume of features alone makes picking up even the basics in the application a daunting task for many users.
While most user might choose to jump right in, others will opt for searching the web for Photoshop tutorials or how to guides. However, even these can be confusing, enter Adobe's Terry White. Terry has put together an excellent 45 minute video showing you how to accomplish "10 Things Beginners Want to Know How To Do".
The video runs through a gamut of useful tools, like spot correction, layers and adjustment layers, cropping, fixing exposure and white balance, content aware fill, and more. So if that sounds like something you'd like to learn, carve yourself out a block of time, and get yourself an education.
Now for those of you who are advanced Photoshop geeks, obviously, this video isn't aimed at you, and even an intermediate user might find some of the content a bit redundant. But someone just starting out will probably find the videos Terry has created are invaluable—and the rest of us might just pick up a new method or two along the way, too.
If you like this video Terry has several more Adobe Creative Cloud Videos available on Adobe Creative Cloud TV or for more videos from other Adobe Evangelists and Experts checkout Adobe TV.
While most user might choose to jump right in, others will opt for searching the web for Photoshop tutorials or how to guides. However, even these can be confusing, enter Adobe's Terry White. Terry has put together an excellent 45 minute video showing you how to accomplish "10 Things Beginners Want to Know How To Do".
The video runs through a gamut of useful tools, like spot correction, layers and adjustment layers, cropping, fixing exposure and white balance, content aware fill, and more. So if that sounds like something you'd like to learn, carve yourself out a block of time, and get yourself an education.
Now for those of you who are advanced Photoshop geeks, obviously, this video isn't aimed at you, and even an intermediate user might find some of the content a bit redundant. But someone just starting out will probably find the videos Terry has created are invaluable—and the rest of us might just pick up a new method or two along the way, too.
If you like this video Terry has several more Adobe Creative Cloud Videos available on Adobe Creative Cloud TV or for more videos from other Adobe Evangelists and Experts checkout Adobe TV.
Sunday, October 06, 2013
Adobe Confirms Data On 2.9 million Customers Stolen In Hack
Adobe Systems confirmed on Thursday that hackers had breached several severs and databases accessing source code to the companies more popular software such as Adobe Acrobat. During the breach the hackers were also able to gain access to full user data, including credit card information on about 2.9 million customers accounts.
Adobe Chief Security Officer Brad Arkin said the company had been investigating the breach since its discovery two weeks ago and that it had no evidence of any attacks based on the theft. "Based on our findings to date, we are not aware of any specific increased risk to customers as a result of this incident," Arkin wrote on an Adobe blog.
Arkin said hackers also took information on 2.9 million Adobe customers, including their names, user identification numbers and encrypted passwords and payment card numbers.
Adobe has said it will be taking the following steps to ensure customers are aware of the attack and to prevent any further intrusions:
Despite their steps to keep customers safe, this level of security breach should be a major concern for all those that may be impacted. We strongly suggest that anyone that has worked with Adobe's sites in the past immediately change their log-in information. Secondly anyone that has a credit card that could be on file with the company, whether you are contacted directly from Adobe or not, should be diligently monitoring their statements and transactions for any possible misuse. Third, and this can't be stated enough, be on the lookout for fake Adobe emails with malicious links. Often times hackers unassociated with the original breach will use news headlines to create phishing attacks. Sending legitimate looking emails to unsuspecting users trying to dupe them into visiting fake sites with malicious code. Always check those links, emails sources ect and never share any personal information once you are there.
Adobe Chief Security Officer Brad Arkin said the company had been investigating the breach since its discovery two weeks ago and that it had no evidence of any attacks based on the theft. "Based on our findings to date, we are not aware of any specific increased risk to customers as a result of this incident," Arkin wrote on an Adobe blog.
Arkin said hackers also took information on 2.9 million Adobe customers, including their names, user identification numbers and encrypted passwords and payment card numbers.
Adobe has said it will be taking the following steps to ensure customers are aware of the attack and to prevent any further intrusions:
- As a precaution, Adobe will be resetting relevant customer passwords to help prevent unauthorized access to Adobe ID accounts. If your user ID and password were involved, you will receive an email notification from us with information on how to change your password. It is also recommended that you change your passwords on any website where you may have used the same user ID and password.
- The company is in the process of notifying customers whose credit or debit card information we believe to be involved in the incident. If your information was involved, you will receive a notification letter directly from Adobe with additional information on steps you can take to help protect yourself against potential misuse of personal information about you. Adobe is also offering customers, whose credit or debit card information was involved, the option of enrolling in a one-year complimentary credit monitoring membership where available.
- The company has worked to notify the banks processing customer payments for Adobe, so that they can work with the payment card companies and card-issuing banks to help protect customers’ accounts.
- Federal law enforcement has been contacted and the company is working closely with them assisting in their investigation.
What the Adobe Hack means to you!
Despite their steps to keep customers safe, this level of security breach should be a major concern for all those that may be impacted. We strongly suggest that anyone that has worked with Adobe's sites in the past immediately change their log-in information. Secondly anyone that has a credit card that could be on file with the company, whether you are contacted directly from Adobe or not, should be diligently monitoring their statements and transactions for any possible misuse. Third, and this can't be stated enough, be on the lookout for fake Adobe emails with malicious links. Often times hackers unassociated with the original breach will use news headlines to create phishing attacks. Sending legitimate looking emails to unsuspecting users trying to dupe them into visiting fake sites with malicious code. Always check those links, emails sources ect and never share any personal information once you are there.
Tuesday, May 07, 2013
Adobe's New Subscription Only Service Explained
Today, Adobe kicked off their MAX conference with a big keynote address, at which the company announced the newest version of what will be a re-branding of their popular Creative Suite software. The new versions will be branded as Creative Cloud and will only be available on a subscription basis. That means, if you want the newest versions of Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver or InDesign you're going to need to subscribe.
What exactly is Adobe Creative Cloud?
Creative Cloud is the new mash-up of all the Adobe professional creative desktop applications like Photoshop, Illustrator, and more — plus new features and upgrades. Instead of a one time installation from your typical install media Creative Cloud offer users a subscription service that is renewed monthly. Your basic software files will be installed locally however the software will work with Adobe's online services to act as a storage and file repository giving you syncing capabilities to have access to your files wherever you are, even on your mobile device. Cloud-based services let you build and publish websites, mobile apps, iPad publications, and content for any medium or device.
Your Creative Cloud desktop applications (such as Photoshop and Illustrator) are installed directly on your computer, so you won't need an ongoing Internet connection to use them on a daily basis. You will however, need to be online when you install and license your software. If you have an annual membership, you'll be asked to connect to the web to validate your software licenses every 30 days. However, you'll be able to use products for 180 days even if you're offline.
What are the Adobe Creative Cloud pricing plans?
Right now Adobe offers two different levels one being a full suite and the other being an app by app plan. For new Creative Cloud members it will be $49.99 and $19.99 per month.
What's New in the Adobe Creative Cloud Applications?
Photoshop. Like other members of the suite, have been updated to take advantage of the syncing mentioned above, with the ability to migrate presets and settings. It also lets users share to Behance, a creative pro social network, and save to the Adobe Creative Cloud. The CC version also adds a smart sharpen tool, the ability to use Camera Raw settings as filters, intelligent upsampling, multiple shape and path selection, and more 3D features formerly only included in the Extended edition. There is also a new feature called Camera Shake Reduction, the tool analyzes your photograph for camera motion, comes up with a path representing the shake motion, and aligns the photo pixels to remove the blur.
Illustrator, InDesign and Muse ad new fonts and new Kuler iPhone app that lets you snap a photo and tap at objects' colors to create a color swatch that can be synced to Illustrator for use as a color theme in your design project. Also in Illustrator is the new Touch Type tool, which lets you customize individual font characters by scaling and rotating them. To continue the syncing theme, Adobe Typekit fonts can now be synced.
Dreamweaver gets a new CSS visual editing tool, a new redesigned interface, JQuery UI widget support, and build support for PhoneGap, which lets you create iOS and Android apps. Edge Animate now includes motion paths, custom templates, support for an Akamai CDN, and support for swipe interfaces. Edge Reflow, which lets your site respond to different screen sizes, now has an Assets panel and Adobe Typekit integration for a huge font choice. Flash Professional CC has been rebuilt in 64-bit architecture, a new code editor, and enhanced HTML5 support.
For video geeks both Premiere Pro and After Effects feature updates. Premiere Pro updates include a simplified, redesigned timeline, a clip locator, the Adobe Anywhere collaboration server, integration of the Lumetri Deep Color engine, better closed captioning support, and precise audio control.
After Effects now benefits from the Live 3D Pipeline between After Effects CC and CINEMA 4D, an enhanced 3D Camera Tracker, and layer and mask snapping. The very cool Refine Edge tool takes a huge amount of tedium out of rotoscoping. For more detail on new stuff in the other video-related apps, including SpeedGrade, Audition, Encore, Media Encoder, Story Plus, and Prelude, read Adobe Reveals New Features in CS6 Video Apps.
For more information be sure to checkout the Creative Cloud FAQs.
What exactly is Adobe Creative Cloud?
Creative Cloud is the new mash-up of all the Adobe professional creative desktop applications like Photoshop, Illustrator, and more — plus new features and upgrades. Instead of a one time installation from your typical install media Creative Cloud offer users a subscription service that is renewed monthly. Your basic software files will be installed locally however the software will work with Adobe's online services to act as a storage and file repository giving you syncing capabilities to have access to your files wherever you are, even on your mobile device. Cloud-based services let you build and publish websites, mobile apps, iPad publications, and content for any medium or device.
Your Creative Cloud desktop applications (such as Photoshop and Illustrator) are installed directly on your computer, so you won't need an ongoing Internet connection to use them on a daily basis. You will however, need to be online when you install and license your software. If you have an annual membership, you'll be asked to connect to the web to validate your software licenses every 30 days. However, you'll be able to use products for 180 days even if you're offline.
What are the Adobe Creative Cloud pricing plans?
Right now Adobe offers two different levels one being a full suite and the other being an app by app plan. For new Creative Cloud members it will be $49.99 and $19.99 per month.
- The single app full version of one desktop application $19.99/mo will offer 20GBs of cloud storage for file sharing and collaboration and limited access to services
- The full suite version will the entire application catalog is $49.99/mo and offers full versions of all of Adobe's most popular desktop applications — Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, and more plus full access to services to help create mobile-ready content and apps. You also get 20GB of cloud storage for file sharing and collaboration
What's New in the Adobe Creative Cloud Applications?
Photoshop. Like other members of the suite, have been updated to take advantage of the syncing mentioned above, with the ability to migrate presets and settings. It also lets users share to Behance, a creative pro social network, and save to the Adobe Creative Cloud. The CC version also adds a smart sharpen tool, the ability to use Camera Raw settings as filters, intelligent upsampling, multiple shape and path selection, and more 3D features formerly only included in the Extended edition. There is also a new feature called Camera Shake Reduction, the tool analyzes your photograph for camera motion, comes up with a path representing the shake motion, and aligns the photo pixels to remove the blur.
Illustrator, InDesign and Muse ad new fonts and new Kuler iPhone app that lets you snap a photo and tap at objects' colors to create a color swatch that can be synced to Illustrator for use as a color theme in your design project. Also in Illustrator is the new Touch Type tool, which lets you customize individual font characters by scaling and rotating them. To continue the syncing theme, Adobe Typekit fonts can now be synced.
Dreamweaver gets a new CSS visual editing tool, a new redesigned interface, JQuery UI widget support, and build support for PhoneGap, which lets you create iOS and Android apps. Edge Animate now includes motion paths, custom templates, support for an Akamai CDN, and support for swipe interfaces. Edge Reflow, which lets your site respond to different screen sizes, now has an Assets panel and Adobe Typekit integration for a huge font choice. Flash Professional CC has been rebuilt in 64-bit architecture, a new code editor, and enhanced HTML5 support.
For video geeks both Premiere Pro and After Effects feature updates. Premiere Pro updates include a simplified, redesigned timeline, a clip locator, the Adobe Anywhere collaboration server, integration of the Lumetri Deep Color engine, better closed captioning support, and precise audio control.
After Effects now benefits from the Live 3D Pipeline between After Effects CC and CINEMA 4D, an enhanced 3D Camera Tracker, and layer and mask snapping. The very cool Refine Edge tool takes a huge amount of tedium out of rotoscoping. For more detail on new stuff in the other video-related apps, including SpeedGrade, Audition, Encore, Media Encoder, Story Plus, and Prelude, read Adobe Reveals New Features in CS6 Video Apps.
For more information be sure to checkout the Creative Cloud FAQs.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Adobe Lightroom 5 Public Beta Now Available
For the serious camera buffs out there Adobe's Lightroom is likely one of the many must have tools in your toolkit. However for the average geek or the beginning photographer you may not yet be familiar with the software. Today that can all change, and even better, for free!
Adobe has announced that it will be making the Lightroom 5 Beta now available as a free download at labs.adobe.com. All you need to do is have or create a free Adobe account. Simply supply a bit of personal information and a valid email, and you are in! The new release doesn't add a ton of head-turning changes like its predecessor, but it does offer a would be users some serious tools that are definitely worthy of the download time. Users will find useful tools like a more capable healing brush, new perspective corrections, Smart Previews for more efficient editing, and video slideshow creation.
You can install it on a PC running Windows 7 SP1 or Windows 8, or on a Mac with OS X 10.7 Lion and later. The company is encouraging beta testers to leave comments at http://feedback.photoshop.com after downloading the free Lightroom 5 Beta from labs.adobe.com. The beta expires on June 30, 2013, which makes me suspect that we'll see the full released version around that time, if not before. Adobe has yet to release any pricing details on the new release, for now that doesn't really matter though since the beta is free.
Adobe has announced that it will be making the Lightroom 5 Beta now available as a free download at labs.adobe.com. All you need to do is have or create a free Adobe account. Simply supply a bit of personal information and a valid email, and you are in! The new release doesn't add a ton of head-turning changes like its predecessor, but it does offer a would be users some serious tools that are definitely worthy of the download time. Users will find useful tools like a more capable healing brush, new perspective corrections, Smart Previews for more efficient editing, and video slideshow creation.
You can install it on a PC running Windows 7 SP1 or Windows 8, or on a Mac with OS X 10.7 Lion and later. The company is encouraging beta testers to leave comments at http://feedback.photoshop.com after downloading the free Lightroom 5 Beta from labs.adobe.com. The beta expires on June 30, 2013, which makes me suspect that we'll see the full released version around that time, if not before. Adobe has yet to release any pricing details on the new release, for now that doesn't really matter though since the beta is free.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Top 3 Software Essentials For Freelance Illustrators
The following post is a guest post from fellow blogger and tech junkie Reese Jones. Reese is a tech and gadget lover, and a die-hard fan of iOS and console games. She started her writing venture last month and writes about everything from quick tech tips, to mobile-specific news from the likes of O2, to tech-related DIY. Find more about her and her work at Reese+ or tweet her @r_am_jones
Illustrator programs give freelance artists and graphic designers the edge on creativity. By illustrating directly on a computer, artists are able to use a selection of applications that help create unique and conventional art. Even amateur artists can better their skills through state-of-the-art programs. From easy layout and graphic designs to sophisticated vector images, illustrator programs can do it all for you.
Here are the top 3 must have programs for artists pro and amateur alike.
3. Xara Designer Pro 7
Graphic designers and layout artists today require the use of software editing photos and pages to get their works the professional feel. Xara Designer Pro 7 does this for you. With user-friendly features and tools at your service, this graphic design software will help young and aspiring artists fine imaging quality without difficulties and complications.
This designer software is best for minimalists and consolidators alike. Unlike other graphic editing programs, Xara Designer Pro 7 is not a suite. All features are included in one single program. You don't have to switch to different components of a suite just to get desired results or use exclusive applications.
So many wonderful features are present like the Design Gallery- a collection of templates for many uses like photo albums, calling cards, brochures, invitations, calendars, and many more. They can even be customized according to your preferences. Use this feature if you wish to explore the basic workarounds of this program. Panorama tool is very helpful for landscape artists or scenery photographers. This feature collates from two to six of your photos side by side and transforms it into one piece of work.
Xara Designer Pro 7 enables artists to make basic to sophisticated designs. With webpage layouts and 3D effects giving your work more details and style. All is in one application, and this is what's best in this software.
2. CorelDraw Graphics Suite X6
When it comes to photo-editing and illustrating programs, CorelDraw Graphics Suite X6 features seven different applications- CorelDraw, Corel PowerTrace, Corel Wbsite Creator, Corel Photo-Paint, Corel Capture, Corel Connect and Photozoom Pro 2. This powerful graphic design software will help you achieve superb quality results with its ingenious features.
Although you have to open individual applications for different tasks, CorelDraw Graphics Suite X6 doesn't disappoint. Each application houses many imaging features and tools if artists want to use complex designs in illustrating, 3D imaging, editing videos, web designing, and more. Albeit more complicated to use, manuals and forums will help artists adapt to Corel's workspace. With experience and further use, mastering the tools and features of this program can become an easy task.
CorelDraw Graphics Suite X6 comes up with fresh features and tools to give artists complex vector graphics and sophisticated designs. It's a very impressive graphics suite that's very powerful and creative.
1. Adobe Creative Suite 6
Coming in at number 1, Adobe Creative Suite 6 Design Standard wins the competition by bringing art and technology into one powerful suite. Digital media creation has been done easy with an all-encompassing design suite. It comes with a vast collection of features and tools that will greatly benefit professional and amateur artists alike. As there are so many functions it provides, there is a steep learning curve if you wish to use the suite to its full potential.
Photoshop is the best image editing software for use in print and digital media. Retouch scanned pictures using different tools and procedures present in the application. Adobe Mercury Graphics engine is a welcomed addition to the suite. As it takes advantage of your graphics processing unit, editing and enhancing photos are done blazingly fast! With unparalleled speed and infinite productivity, Photoshop in CS6 is a crowning glory in the suite.
While Photoshop gives you means to edit images, Illustrator helps you make one. A vector graphics software that gives you the edge on illustrating complex files with precision and speed, this application is a must have for you artists! No question there. With its latest incarnation in the suite, it does illustrating jobs with more organization and more power.
Another gem for the suite is InDesign, a flexible publishing program that helps you make award winning pages. Creating typography and design in pixel-perfect control is something to be proud about. What more if you can create elegant pages for print and digital media? With a new adaptive design tool in the upgrade, publishing can be done in a jiffy!
All the applications you want for your illustrating needs are in this suite. With a whole new experience in speed and innovation from Adobe, your computer is your canvass. Work on your graphic designs, publish pages in style, and illustrate in the most creative ways possible. With intuitive and advanced features of this creative suite, Adobe Creative Suite 6 is a must have for all creative designers in the world today.
Illustrator programs give freelance artists and graphic designers the edge on creativity. By illustrating directly on a computer, artists are able to use a selection of applications that help create unique and conventional art. Even amateur artists can better their skills through state-of-the-art programs. From easy layout and graphic designs to sophisticated vector images, illustrator programs can do it all for you.
Here are the top 3 must have programs for artists pro and amateur alike.
3. Xara Designer Pro 7
Graphic designers and layout artists today require the use of software editing photos and pages to get their works the professional feel. Xara Designer Pro 7 does this for you. With user-friendly features and tools at your service, this graphic design software will help young and aspiring artists fine imaging quality without difficulties and complications.
This designer software is best for minimalists and consolidators alike. Unlike other graphic editing programs, Xara Designer Pro 7 is not a suite. All features are included in one single program. You don't have to switch to different components of a suite just to get desired results or use exclusive applications.
So many wonderful features are present like the Design Gallery- a collection of templates for many uses like photo albums, calling cards, brochures, invitations, calendars, and many more. They can even be customized according to your preferences. Use this feature if you wish to explore the basic workarounds of this program. Panorama tool is very helpful for landscape artists or scenery photographers. This feature collates from two to six of your photos side by side and transforms it into one piece of work.
Xara Designer Pro 7 enables artists to make basic to sophisticated designs. With webpage layouts and 3D effects giving your work more details and style. All is in one application, and this is what's best in this software.
2. CorelDraw Graphics Suite X6
When it comes to photo-editing and illustrating programs, CorelDraw Graphics Suite X6 features seven different applications- CorelDraw, Corel PowerTrace, Corel Wbsite Creator, Corel Photo-Paint, Corel Capture, Corel Connect and Photozoom Pro 2. This powerful graphic design software will help you achieve superb quality results with its ingenious features.
Although you have to open individual applications for different tasks, CorelDraw Graphics Suite X6 doesn't disappoint. Each application houses many imaging features and tools if artists want to use complex designs in illustrating, 3D imaging, editing videos, web designing, and more. Albeit more complicated to use, manuals and forums will help artists adapt to Corel's workspace. With experience and further use, mastering the tools and features of this program can become an easy task.
CorelDraw Graphics Suite X6 comes up with fresh features and tools to give artists complex vector graphics and sophisticated designs. It's a very impressive graphics suite that's very powerful and creative.
1. Adobe Creative Suite 6
Coming in at number 1, Adobe Creative Suite 6 Design Standard wins the competition by bringing art and technology into one powerful suite. Digital media creation has been done easy with an all-encompassing design suite. It comes with a vast collection of features and tools that will greatly benefit professional and amateur artists alike. As there are so many functions it provides, there is a steep learning curve if you wish to use the suite to its full potential.
Here's how image editing, illustrating, and publishing work in the suite:
Photoshop is the best image editing software for use in print and digital media. Retouch scanned pictures using different tools and procedures present in the application. Adobe Mercury Graphics engine is a welcomed addition to the suite. As it takes advantage of your graphics processing unit, editing and enhancing photos are done blazingly fast! With unparalleled speed and infinite productivity, Photoshop in CS6 is a crowning glory in the suite.
While Photoshop gives you means to edit images, Illustrator helps you make one. A vector graphics software that gives you the edge on illustrating complex files with precision and speed, this application is a must have for you artists! No question there. With its latest incarnation in the suite, it does illustrating jobs with more organization and more power.
Another gem for the suite is InDesign, a flexible publishing program that helps you make award winning pages. Creating typography and design in pixel-perfect control is something to be proud about. What more if you can create elegant pages for print and digital media? With a new adaptive design tool in the upgrade, publishing can be done in a jiffy!
All the applications you want for your illustrating needs are in this suite. With a whole new experience in speed and innovation from Adobe, your computer is your canvass. Work on your graphic designs, publish pages in style, and illustrate in the most creative ways possible. With intuitive and advanced features of this creative suite, Adobe Creative Suite 6 is a must have for all creative designers in the world today.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Despite Warnings Most Consumers Still Fail To Update Their Software
A new study indicates that nearly 40 percent of all users fail to update the software on their computers when initially prompted to do so while approximately one quarter of those surveyed said despite the warnings and headlines prompting them to do so they still don’t clearly understand what software updates do.
The new survey that was co-sponsored by Microsoft's Skype division asked American, British and German consumers if and when they were more likely to install critical software updates. Shockingly even though they received notifications on their computers telling them to update their software, more than half said they needed to see a prompt between two and five times before downloading and installing an update. Even for those consumers who recognized the benefits of upgrading, one quarter didn’t know how to check if their installed software even needs updating.
When asked for their top reasons for either downloading or not downloading updates, consumers across geographies offered the following responses:
Top Reasons for Updating
1. Keeping computers safe from viruses/hackers
2. Ensures software is free of bugs and crashes less often
3. Having the latest and greatest software features
4. Upgrades are often free
Top Reasons for Not Updating
1. Worried about computer security, so I don’t download everything I’m prompted to
2. There is no real benefit to me
3. Upgrades take too long
4. Lack of understanding about what the update(s) will do
The results of the study shows that a lot of folks don't quickly update their software when prompted to do so or fail to do so completely. This prompted the creation of a global initiative dubbed International Technology Upgrade Week (ITUW) with Skype teaming with Adobe, Symantec and TomTom to encourage consumers to regularly download free software updates to their computers, smartphones, tablets and other portable devices, like GPS units.
You can follow the discussion about International Technology Upgrade Week on Twitter using #Update4Free or on the Skype Facebook page. For more information about the study checkout the posting on the Official Skype Blog
The new survey that was co-sponsored by Microsoft's Skype division asked American, British and German consumers if and when they were more likely to install critical software updates. Shockingly even though they received notifications on their computers telling them to update their software, more than half said they needed to see a prompt between two and five times before downloading and installing an update. Even for those consumers who recognized the benefits of upgrading, one quarter didn’t know how to check if their installed software even needs updating.
When asked for their top reasons for either downloading or not downloading updates, consumers across geographies offered the following responses:
Top Reasons for Updating
1. Keeping computers safe from viruses/hackers
2. Ensures software is free of bugs and crashes less often
3. Having the latest and greatest software features
4. Upgrades are often free
Top Reasons for Not Updating
1. Worried about computer security, so I don’t download everything I’m prompted to
2. There is no real benefit to me
3. Upgrades take too long
4. Lack of understanding about what the update(s) will do
The results of the study shows that a lot of folks don't quickly update their software when prompted to do so or fail to do so completely. This prompted the creation of a global initiative dubbed International Technology Upgrade Week (ITUW) with Skype teaming with Adobe, Symantec and TomTom to encourage consumers to regularly download free software updates to their computers, smartphones, tablets and other portable devices, like GPS units.
You can follow the discussion about International Technology Upgrade Week on Twitter using #Update4Free or on the Skype Facebook page. For more information about the study checkout the posting on the Official Skype Blog
Monday, June 25, 2012
Adobe Releases Fix For Flash Player For Firefox
Earlier this month Adobe issues an update the the Flash player plug-in for Mozilla's Firefox browser. The update, Flash Player 11.3, causes several problems most notably none stop crashes with the Flash player. Adobe has now found a fix for the crashes and has issued an update to Flash Player 11.3.300.262.
As previously reported the initial suspicions pointed to a new sanboxing feature in Flash Player 11.3, but yesterday Adobe claimed that there were "different causes" for the crashes, which seemed to be concentrated on Windows Vista and Windows 7 machines. At this time Adobe hasn't made it clear what these different causes are. Tn a recent blog post they simply state "We continue to work closely with Mozilla to further improve pre-release testing to more reliably catch issues like these."
Flash Player 11.3.300.262 can be downloaded from Adobe's website. Firefox users can also wait for Flash's silent updater to automatically download and install the new plug-in. this is of course if you didn't turn off automatic updates.
I've been running the new update for a few days and have yet to see any crashes or any other issues. So users should be good to go.
As previously reported the initial suspicions pointed to a new sanboxing feature in Flash Player 11.3, but yesterday Adobe claimed that there were "different causes" for the crashes, which seemed to be concentrated on Windows Vista and Windows 7 machines. At this time Adobe hasn't made it clear what these different causes are. Tn a recent blog post they simply state "We continue to work closely with Mozilla to further improve pre-release testing to more reliably catch issues like these."
Flash Player 11.3.300.262 can be downloaded from Adobe's website. Firefox users can also wait for Flash's silent updater to automatically download and install the new plug-in. this is of course if you didn't turn off automatic updates.
I've been running the new update for a few days and have yet to see any crashes or any other issues. So users should be good to go.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Confirmed: Newest Flash Update Crashes In Firefox
If like me, you’ve been having trouble with Flash in Firefox, you’re not alone. Mozilla has confirmed that the latest update to Flash is causing problems with some Firefox users. Mozilla is telling users that the company is working with Adobe to fix the problem but as of yet there is no solid solution.
Last week Adobe released Flash Player 11.3, with support for secure sandboxing in Firefox. That is where all the problems started. At this time it's uncertain as to what the exact issue is but it appears to be related to the sandboxing feature. If you aren't aware of what sandboxing is its a built in security feature that is meant to mitigate attacks and keep damage limited so it won’t spill over into the rest of the browser or even the operating system.
For now Mozilla’s suggestion is to “uninstall Flash 11.3 and downgrade to Flash 11.2.”
Some readers might note that Mozilla is saying this is related to video. Personally I've had nothing but issues with just about any type of flash. For now I temporarily disabled Flash and plan on trying to re-install the older version to see if that helps.
If all goes well you should see far fewer crashes when using Flash, or on Flash heavy website.
Some Firefox users on Windows Vista and Windows 7 are experiencing problems when viewing videos in Adobe Flash Player 11.3, released on June 8, 2012. Firefox and/or Flash Player may crash or not load videos using Flash Player, or videos may not display correctly. Adobe and Mozilla are working closely to diagnose and address these issues. In the meantime, Firefox users experiencing problems viewing videos in Flash Player should try the workarounds listed in this help article. We will post an update on this blog once that happens.
Last week Adobe released Flash Player 11.3, with support for secure sandboxing in Firefox. That is where all the problems started. At this time it's uncertain as to what the exact issue is but it appears to be related to the sandboxing feature. If you aren't aware of what sandboxing is its a built in security feature that is meant to mitigate attacks and keep damage limited so it won’t spill over into the rest of the browser or even the operating system.
For now Mozilla’s suggestion is to “uninstall Flash 11.3 and downgrade to Flash 11.2.”
Some readers might note that Mozilla is saying this is related to video. Personally I've had nothing but issues with just about any type of flash. For now I temporarily disabled Flash and plan on trying to re-install the older version to see if that helps.
How to Uninstall Flash 11.3
To uninstall Flash 11.3 on Windows, you will need to use the uninstaller provided by Adobe.- Download the uninstaller program from Adobe - uninstall_flash_player.exe (671 KB)
- At the top of the Firefox window, click on the button ( menu in Windows XP) and then click .
- Run the uninstall Flash program that you download and follow the prompts.
- When you are finished, start Firefox again and continue with the next section - Install Flash 11.2
Install Flash 11.2
- Download the archive of older versions of Flash from the Adobe site - Flash 11.2 (170MB)
- At the top of the Firefox window, click on the button ( menu in Windows XP) and then click .
- Open your downloads folder and look for the file named fp_11.2.202.233_archive.zip
- Double-click the fp_11.2.202.233_archive.zip file and browse though the folders. You will have to look for the Flash 11.2 installer. It is named flashplayer11_2r202_233_win_32bit.exe (If you are using the 64-bit version of Firefox, look for the installer named flashplayer11_2r202_233_win_64bit.exe)
- Drag the installer to your desktop, then double-click it to start the installation.
- The last step of the Flash install program asks you to choose your update method. You should choose Notify me when updates are available to prevent Flash 11.3 from being re-installed automatically.
If all goes well you should see far fewer crashes when using Flash, or on Flash heavy website.
Thursday, September 09, 2010
Apple Opens Door For Adobe Will Allow Third Party App Developers
Apple has begun to backslide on their restrictions for App development and inclusion into the App Store. The company officially announced today that it is backing off previous statements and restirctions of not allowing third party development tools.
The changes are big news for devs that don't want to be limited to a set standard of tools. The announcement didn't specifically mention Adobe or the new CS5 Adobe Packager but many view this as a direct inclusion of the new tools. By lifting the restrictions Apple has essential said you can use Flash to develop your apps, and then compile them to work on the iPhone and iPad utilizing the Adobe Packager tool-set.
We should make one thing clear, the inclusion of the new third party dev tools does not mean that Flash is coming to iOS as a plugin: You still won’t be able to view Flash content on your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. This change in Apple’s policy just means developers can use third-party tools such as Flash to create apps sold through the App Store.
The second part of Apple’s announcement may be even less expected. Apple plans to provide a more open set of guidelines for developers to follow to get their apps included into the app store.
In the past Apple has singularly denied or removed Apps for no apparent reason and in some cases with little to no cause. By publishing the guidelines developers will know what they can and can’t get add to their apps versus, say, an Android application. Third-party programmers will have a clearer sense of whether or not to invest time and money in developing an app, whereas before they were subject to rejection without knowing what they weren’t allowed to do.
Apple’s seven-page list of guidelines divides reasons for app rejections into 11 categories with several different sub-categories. Reasons for rejection are still the basics and objectionable material such as nudity, vulgarity, discrimination ect. There are also several new technical offenses: Apps that crash will be rejected, any thing that majorly changes the UI or potentially harms the device for example. More details can be seen via PDF thanks to Wired.com.
This new stance and approach Apple is taking is not only great news for developers but for consumers alike. Having a clearer understanding of which Apps may be accepted means more developers can and will work on cross platform apps, which in turn means more apps for everyone.
Read More: Statement by Apple on App Store Review Guidelines
The changes are big news for devs that don't want to be limited to a set standard of tools. The announcement didn't specifically mention Adobe or the new CS5 Adobe Packager but many view this as a direct inclusion of the new tools. By lifting the restrictions Apple has essential said you can use Flash to develop your apps, and then compile them to work on the iPhone and iPad utilizing the Adobe Packager tool-set.
We should make one thing clear, the inclusion of the new third party dev tools does not mean that Flash is coming to iOS as a plugin: You still won’t be able to view Flash content on your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. This change in Apple’s policy just means developers can use third-party tools such as Flash to create apps sold through the App Store.
The second part of Apple’s announcement may be even less expected. Apple plans to provide a more open set of guidelines for developers to follow to get their apps included into the app store.
In addition, for the first time we are publishing the App Store Review Guidelines to help developers understand how we review submitted apps. We hope it will make us more transparent and help our developers create even more successful apps for the App Store.
In the past Apple has singularly denied or removed Apps for no apparent reason and in some cases with little to no cause. By publishing the guidelines developers will know what they can and can’t get add to their apps versus, say, an Android application. Third-party programmers will have a clearer sense of whether or not to invest time and money in developing an app, whereas before they were subject to rejection without knowing what they weren’t allowed to do.
Apple’s seven-page list of guidelines divides reasons for app rejections into 11 categories with several different sub-categories. Reasons for rejection are still the basics and objectionable material such as nudity, vulgarity, discrimination ect. There are also several new technical offenses: Apps that crash will be rejected, any thing that majorly changes the UI or potentially harms the device for example. More details can be seen via PDF thanks to Wired.com.
This new stance and approach Apple is taking is not only great news for developers but for consumers alike. Having a clearer understanding of which Apps may be accepted means more developers can and will work on cross platform apps, which in turn means more apps for everyone.
Read More: Statement by Apple on App Store Review Guidelines
Monday, May 03, 2010
Adobe Vs. Apple, A War Of Words Part 2
Last week the fight between Apple and Adobe over the inclusion, or rather the lack there of, of Flash on Apple's mobile devices reached a bit of a boiling point with the CEO's of both companies sound off in a war of words.
In our previous post we discussed the open letter written by Steve Jobs and the key points he made as to why the company has decided not to add Flash support for the iPhone, iPad and iPod. The Wall Street Journal's Alan Murray interviewed Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen about Jobs' comments and here are a few of the highlights:
You can view the full interview here at the WSJ's Digits blog.
To me this ultimately comes down to choice. Choice for developers and choice for end users. The Apple vs Adobe debate over Flash debate comes down to principle. Apple wants to keep their overly restrictive tight control over the experience people have on iPhone OS devices, ostensibly for the benefit of consumers but partly for the company's own good.
The problem here is that they keep saying its for the good of the consumer. Well one of the great thing about Flash is that if you don't want it you don't have to have it. You can choose not to install Flash in your Web browser or on your OS. Much like most things its an option, one seemingly that most people want to have. Apple should keep in mind that having choice is a wonderful thing. Why not let us try it on our iPhones, iPad ect and decide?
In our previous post we discussed the open letter written by Steve Jobs and the key points he made as to why the company has decided not to add Flash support for the iPhone, iPad and iPod. The Wall Street Journal's Alan Murray interviewed Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen about Jobs' comments and here are a few of the highlights:
- Adobe believes in open content; Apple is threatened by Adobe's penchant for creating cross-platform software.
- Narayen likens the fight between Apple and Adobe to the rift between Jon and Kate Gosselin.
- The technology problems that Mr. Jobs mentions in his essay are "really a smokescreen," Mr. Narayen says. He says more than 100 applications that used Adobe's software were accepted in the App Store. "When you resort to licensing language" to restrict this sort of development, he says, it has "nothing to do with technology.".
- Narayen refutes the assertion that Adobe Flash is the main reason why Macs crash.
- Jobs' comments about poor battery life on machines using Adobe Flash are "patently false".
- "It doesn't benefit Apple, and that's why you see this reaction".
- Narayen asserts that the consumer should be able to decide which technologies they want to use and he thinks that a multi-platform world is where the future is headed.
You can view the full interview here at the WSJ's Digits blog.
To me this ultimately comes down to choice. Choice for developers and choice for end users. The Apple vs Adobe debate over Flash debate comes down to principle. Apple wants to keep their overly restrictive tight control over the experience people have on iPhone OS devices, ostensibly for the benefit of consumers but partly for the company's own good.
The problem here is that they keep saying its for the good of the consumer. Well one of the great thing about Flash is that if you don't want it you don't have to have it. You can choose not to install Flash in your Web browser or on your OS. Much like most things its an option, one seemingly that most people want to have. Apple should keep in mind that having choice is a wonderful thing. Why not let us try it on our iPhones, iPad ect and decide?
Saturday, May 01, 2010
Adobe Vs. Apple, A War Of Words
The battle between Apple and Adobe of the inclusion of Adobe's Flash on Apple's portable devices like the iPhone, iPad and iPod has been coming to a head over the past few weeks. This week the CEO's of both companies fired shots at one another in what so far has only been an internet slug fest. One that we personally hope will end in some sort of court battle.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs fired the first shot when he released a 1700+ word open statement on his 'thoughts on flash'. Jobs outlines his 6 main thoughts on Adobe’s Flash products so that customers and critics(like us) may better understand why the company continues to not allow Flash on iPhones, iPods and iPads.
Here's are Job's 6 reasons for not including Adobe's Flash:
First things first the ridiculous side
While I can understand most of the objections Jobs and Apple have to adding Flash support some of their ideas strike me as utterly ridiculous, I mean come on using battery life as a defense? What's next are they going to put a timer on each device that allows it to shut down after a prolonged session of usage because continuous use would drain the battery faster than intermittent usage? Are they now going to block addicting games because those lead to me using my iPad longer than normal?
Is this a pot calling a kettle black
The pot calling the kettle black on this openness vs proprietary debate also seems a bit ridiculous. I will say this at least Jobs has the stones to admit Apple has many proprietary products but to call out Adobe and say they are any worse than Apple...COME ON REALLY!! You are running a closed OS, a closed App Store and by all means accounts an entirely closed device. Everything about the iPhone, iPad and iPods are 100% proprietary. You are in no position to call out another company no matter how proprietary they are, and trust me I hate Adobe and their pricing.
Secure, security and the lack of
Mr. Jobs and Apple need to site in on the next Pwn2Own if for one second they think having Flash on the iPhone or iPad will in anyway hurt or hinder their security efforts. Yes Flash is know as a gaping wound in many PCs, but the fact of the matter is Adobe products, especially Flash and Acrobat Reader--are ubiquitous on virtually every platform. This makes them an easy target for would be hackers. Its much the same as the debate over MS operating systems as well as IE. Why would hackers spend time trying to hack a small OS with few users when they can target billions at once.
Second the lack of true multitasking support on the iPhone and iPad provide the devices with a much better level of protection against malware attacks (the majority of Flash based attacks). Adobe software may be one of the weaker links on other platforms, but probably wouldn't fundamentally impair the security (or lack there of) on the iPhone or iPad.
Toss the Flash argument aside, even without adding an additional level of 'insecurity' these device are not nearly as secure as many users seem to think they are. Every day we are seeing more and more reports of potential vulnerabilities leading to malware, viruses and hacks for smartphones. Adding Flash support may not help that but it certainly would not be the end-all.
Platform dependence, touch and beyond
I'll give Jobs points for the lack of touch support statements. Admittedly I've never used Flash on a touch based system but my understanding is the mouse pointer is a fairly critical element for interacting with Flash. This might not be a big issue with videos but it certain would be with games or other apps. There may be a fairly easy work-around for this issue, I just don't know so I'll give Jobs his due here and say lets see it Adobe!
Platform dependence is one area that I have to cry foul. Not because I'm a coder, hardly and far from it. Rather I don't see that Apple should say they are open and pushing an innovative internet then block apps on a cross-platform environment. Apple may not want the advancement and innovation of the iPhone or iPad applications to be at the mercy of a third-party but I don't see that that alone should be a deciding factor.
Apps by nature are third part, its up to the devs to create them and implement the changes they see fit. Its not Apple that keeps these applications up to date its the devs. If they originally use a tool like Flash and then port it for the iPhone where is the issue? Why should Apple be banning iPhone and iPad apps that are ported from Flash? It seem pretty petty to me. Trust me if a third party platform which an app developer is using isn't keeping up those devs will move to another tool that will. So shouldn't that be left up to the developers to decide? Why does Apple care?
Personally I think it all boils down to Apple wanting to maintain tight, proprietary control over app development and their tight reign over the App store. More and more it seems like they aren't wanting to share the pie. It also seems more and more suspicious that Apple would continue to block flash given the company's foray into mobile advertising with the iAd platform, which will be competing directly with the fairly ubiquitous Flash-based ads.
Part 2 Adobe responds!
Apple CEO Steve Jobs fired the first shot when he released a 1700+ word open statement on his 'thoughts on flash'. Jobs outlines his 6 main thoughts on Adobe’s Flash products so that customers and critics(like us) may better understand why the company continues to not allow Flash on iPhones, iPods and iPads.
Here's are Job's 6 reasons for not including Adobe's Flash:
- Openness Vs Proprietary - Adobe’s Flash products are 100% proprietary. They are only available from Adobe, and Adobe has sole authority as to their future enhancement, pricing, etc. While Adobe’s Flash products are widely available, this does not mean they are open, since they are controlled entirely by Adobe and available only from Adobe. By almost any definition, Flash is a closed system.
Apple has many proprietary products too. Though the operating system for the iPhone, iPod and iPad is proprietary, we strongly believe that all standards pertaining to the web should be open. Rather than use Flash, Apple has adopted HTML5, CSS and JavaScript – all open standards. Apple’s mobile devices all ship with high performance, low power implementations of these open standards. HTML5, the new web standard that has been adopted by Apple, Google and many others, lets web developers create advanced graphics, typography, animations and transitions without relying on third party browser plug-ins (like Flash). HTML5 is completely open and controlled by a standards committee, of which Apple is a member.
Apple even creates open standards for the web. For example, Apple began with a small open source project and created WebKit, a complete open-source HTML5 rendering engine that is the heart of the Safari web browser used in all our products. WebKit has been widely adopted. Google uses it for Android’s browser, Palm uses it, Nokia uses it, and RIM (Blackberry) has announced they will use it too. Almost every smartphone web browser other than Microsoft’s uses WebKit. By making its WebKit technology open, Apple has set the standard for mobile web browsers. - Full Web Experience - Adobe has repeatedly said that Apple mobile devices cannot access “the full web” because 75% of video on the web is in Flash. What they don’t say is that almost all this video is also available in a more modern format, H.264, and viewable on iPhones, iPods and iPads. YouTube, with an estimated 40% of the web’s video, shines in an app bundled on all Apple mobile devices, with the iPad offering perhaps the best YouTube discovery and viewing experience ever. Add to this video from Vimeo, Netflix, Facebook, ABC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, ESPN, NPR, Time, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Sports Illustrated, People, National Geographic, and many, many others. iPhone, iPod and iPad users aren’t missing much video.
Another Adobe claim is that Apple devices cannot play Flash games. This is true. Fortunately, there are over 50,000 games and entertainment titles on the App Store, and many of them are free. There are more games and entertainment titles available for iPhone, iPod and iPad than for any other platform in the world. - Reliability, Security and Performance - Symantec recently highlighted Flash for having one of the worst security records in 2009. We also know first hand that Flash is the number one reason Macs crash. We have been working with Adobe to fix these problems, but they have persisted for several years now. We don’t want to reduce the reliability and security of our iPhones, iPods and iPads by adding Flash.
In addition, Flash has not performed well on mobile devices. We have routinely asked Adobe to show us Flash performing well on a mobile device, any mobile device, for a few years now. We have never seen it. Adobe publicly said that Flash would ship on a smartphone in early 2009, then the second half of 2009, then the first half of 2010, and now they say the second half of 2010. We think it will eventually ship, but we’re glad we didn’t hold our breath. Who knows how it will perform? - Battery Life - To achieve long battery life when playing video, mobile devices must decode the video in hardware; decoding it in software uses too much power. Many of the chips used in modern mobile devices contain a decoder called H.264 – an industry standard that is used in every Blu-ray DVD player and has been adopted by Apple, Google (YouTube), Vimeo, Netflix and many other companies.
Although Flash has recently added support for H.264, the video on almost all Flash websites currently requires an older generation decoder that is not implemented in mobile chips and must be run in software. The difference is striking: on an iPhone, for example, H.264 videos play for up to 10 hours, while videos decoded in software play for less than 5 hours before the battery is fully drained.
When websites re-encode their videos using H.264, they can offer them without using Flash at all. They play perfectly in browsers like Apple’s Safari and Google’s Chrome without any plugins whatsoever, and look great on iPhones, iPods and iPads. - The Touch Interface Flash was designed for PCs using mice, not for touch screens using fingers. For example, many Flash websites rely on “rollovers”, which pop up menus or other elements when the mouse arrow hovers over a specific spot. Apple’s revolutionary multi-touch interface doesn’t use a mouse, and there is no concept of a rollover. Most Flash websites will need to be rewritten to support touch-based devices. If developers need to rewrite their Flash websites, why not use modern technologies like HTML5, CSS and JavaScript?
Even if iPhones, iPods and iPads ran Flash, it would not solve the problem that most Flash websites need to be rewritten to support touch-based devices. - Slowly Released Development Tools - We know from painful experience that letting a third party layer of software come between the platform and the developer ultimately results in sub-standard apps and hinders the enhancement and progress of the platform. If developers grow dependent on third party development libraries and tools, they can only take advantage of platform enhancements if and when the third party chooses to adopt the new features. We cannot be at the mercy of a third party deciding if and when they will make our enhancements available to our developers.
This becomes even worse if the third party is supplying a cross platform development tool. The third party may not adopt enhancements from one platform unless they are available on all of their supported platforms. Hence developers only have access to the lowest common denominator set of features. Again, we cannot accept an outcome where developers are blocked from using our innovations and enhancements because they are not available on our competitor’s platforms.
Flash is a cross platform development tool. It is not Adobe’s goal to help developers write the best iPhone, iPod and iPad apps. It is their goal to help developers write cross platform apps. And Adobe has been painfully slow to adopt enhancements to Apple’s platforms. For example, although Mac OS X has been shipping for almost 10 years now, Adobe just adopted it fully (Cocoa) two weeks ago when they shipped CS5. Adobe was the last major third party developer to fully adopt Mac OS X.
First things first the ridiculous side
While I can understand most of the objections Jobs and Apple have to adding Flash support some of their ideas strike me as utterly ridiculous, I mean come on using battery life as a defense? What's next are they going to put a timer on each device that allows it to shut down after a prolonged session of usage because continuous use would drain the battery faster than intermittent usage? Are they now going to block addicting games because those lead to me using my iPad longer than normal?
Is this a pot calling a kettle black
The pot calling the kettle black on this openness vs proprietary debate also seems a bit ridiculous. I will say this at least Jobs has the stones to admit Apple has many proprietary products but to call out Adobe and say they are any worse than Apple...COME ON REALLY!! You are running a closed OS, a closed App Store and by all means accounts an entirely closed device. Everything about the iPhone, iPad and iPods are 100% proprietary. You are in no position to call out another company no matter how proprietary they are, and trust me I hate Adobe and their pricing.
Secure, security and the lack of
Mr. Jobs and Apple need to site in on the next Pwn2Own if for one second they think having Flash on the iPhone or iPad will in anyway hurt or hinder their security efforts. Yes Flash is know as a gaping wound in many PCs, but the fact of the matter is Adobe products, especially Flash and Acrobat Reader--are ubiquitous on virtually every platform. This makes them an easy target for would be hackers. Its much the same as the debate over MS operating systems as well as IE. Why would hackers spend time trying to hack a small OS with few users when they can target billions at once.
Second the lack of true multitasking support on the iPhone and iPad provide the devices with a much better level of protection against malware attacks (the majority of Flash based attacks). Adobe software may be one of the weaker links on other platforms, but probably wouldn't fundamentally impair the security (or lack there of) on the iPhone or iPad.
Toss the Flash argument aside, even without adding an additional level of 'insecurity' these device are not nearly as secure as many users seem to think they are. Every day we are seeing more and more reports of potential vulnerabilities leading to malware, viruses and hacks for smartphones. Adding Flash support may not help that but it certainly would not be the end-all.
Platform dependence, touch and beyond
I'll give Jobs points for the lack of touch support statements. Admittedly I've never used Flash on a touch based system but my understanding is the mouse pointer is a fairly critical element for interacting with Flash. This might not be a big issue with videos but it certain would be with games or other apps. There may be a fairly easy work-around for this issue, I just don't know so I'll give Jobs his due here and say lets see it Adobe!
Platform dependence is one area that I have to cry foul. Not because I'm a coder, hardly and far from it. Rather I don't see that Apple should say they are open and pushing an innovative internet then block apps on a cross-platform environment. Apple may not want the advancement and innovation of the iPhone or iPad applications to be at the mercy of a third-party but I don't see that that alone should be a deciding factor.
Apps by nature are third part, its up to the devs to create them and implement the changes they see fit. Its not Apple that keeps these applications up to date its the devs. If they originally use a tool like Flash and then port it for the iPhone where is the issue? Why should Apple be banning iPhone and iPad apps that are ported from Flash? It seem pretty petty to me. Trust me if a third party platform which an app developer is using isn't keeping up those devs will move to another tool that will. So shouldn't that be left up to the developers to decide? Why does Apple care?
Personally I think it all boils down to Apple wanting to maintain tight, proprietary control over app development and their tight reign over the App store. More and more it seems like they aren't wanting to share the pie. It also seems more and more suspicious that Apple would continue to block flash given the company's foray into mobile advertising with the iAd platform, which will be competing directly with the fairly ubiquitous Flash-based ads.
Part 2 Adobe responds!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Adobe Seemingly Throws In The Towel In Fight With Apple
Despite the rumors that Adobe may take it's fight with Apple to the courtroom the company has apparent;y decided to throw in the towel and call it quits. Yesterday Adobe's Mike Chambers, Principal Product Manager for developer relations for the Flash Platform at Adobe, announced via his personal blog that the company would be officially dropping support for iPhone ports after CS5.
Chambers Writes:
In his post Chambers pretty much nails every sentiment I've had regarding Apple and the App store. No I'm not an Apple hater, and no I'm not an MS fanboy, but if the shoe was on the other foot and a company like Microsoft tried to limit the inclusion of Apps based on the same reasoning Apple has listed for removing (or dis-including) them we'd be talking about another MS anti-trust lawsuit or court case.
Apple is using their position to create an un-level playing field and thus engaging in anti-competitive practices. Sure they aren't the only game in town, sure there is Android, Palm, Windows Phone 7, RIM, etc. but they do hold a rather high market share and are a pure monopoly when it comes to Apple products.
Personally I had hoped that Adobe would have tried to make a stand and would have tried to fight to force Apple's hand. Now of course the fact they aren't planning additional investments in the porting tool doesn't mean the fight is over. It simply means at this time they are moving away from the fire.
Fanboy or not, you've got to admit it would be nice to see some of the strangle hold Apple has over Apps and development loosened. You shouldn't have to jailbreak your device, or take up a new programing language in order to appease the Apple gods!
The its their device argument, my rant begins!
I can't tell you how many times I've heard people (mainly Apple fanboys) say its their device and its their App store they can control it how they want. Come on folks open your eyes here. Imagine for a second that Intel or AMD decided that everyone with a PC based on their platform had to run the OS and Apps they choose. Would you not be complaining then?
Intel is involved in the Meego Project, an open source Linux variant OS for netbooks and mobiles. What if they suddenly said every Intel based PC (Macs included) had to run Meego. I guarantee shit would hit the fan!! So please don't give me this nonsensical argument that they can do with their platform what they want.
Apple seem to be held to a slightly different standard than everyone else and they shouldn't be. Nor should Apple fans blindly accept that its their product and they can control it. Everyone should want an open cross-platform environment that allows good friendly competition. Not a restrictive market that can be closed at a whim.
UPDATE Via CNet: Apple has responded to Adobe’s move "Someone has it backwards--it is HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, and H.264 (all supported by the iPhone and iPad) that are open and standard, while Adobe's Flash is closed and proprietary," said spokeswoman Trudy Miller in a statement.
Apple pointing to open standards doesn't impress me. Yes we know CSS, JS and HTML5 are open, that however doesn't mean much when you are dealing with a closed market. The fact that Apple has the power to arbitrarily block a platform or app on whatever basis it decides is my main issue.
If iPhone/iPad users want Flash, and apparently they do then why not be truly open and allow the apps. As Chambers pointed out there are 100's of Apps already approved and in the App store that were built using the Flash-iPhone porting tool that can or will become victims of the new developer program license. If that's truly the case and these Apps are being used, and formerly approved then why not open the standards and accept more? Obviously there was no harm done with the previous Apps.
Note to Apple, just because you support development on an open platform doesn't make you an open no proprietary, cross-development friendly environment.
Chambers Writes:
A little over a week ago Apple released a new draft of their iPhone developer program license which contained the following clause:
3.3.1 — Applications may only use Documented APIs in the manner prescribed by Apple and must not use or call any private APIs. Applications must be originally written in Objective-C, C, C++, or JavaScript as executed by the iPhone OS WebKit engine, and only code written in C, C++, and Objective-C may compile and directly link against the Documented APIs (e.g., Applications that link to Documented APIs through an intermediary translation or compatibility layer or tool are prohibited).Essentially, this has the effect of restricting applications built with a number of technologies, including Unity, Titanium, MonoTouch, and Flash CS5. While it appears that Apple may selectively enforce the terms, it is our belief that Apple will enforce those terms as they apply to content created with Flash CS5. Developers should be prepared for Apple to remove existing content and applications (100+ on the store today) created with Flash CS5 from the iTunes store.
We will still be shipping the ability to target the iPhone and iPad in Flash CS5. However, we are not currently planning any additional investments in that feature.
To be clear, during the entire development cycle of Flash CS5, the feature complied with Apple’s licensing terms. However, as developers for the iPhone have learned, if you want to develop for the iPhone you have to be prepared for Apple to reject or restrict your development at anytime, and for seemingly any reason. In just the past week Apple also changed its licensing terms to essentially prohibit ad networks other than its own on the iPhone, and it came to light that Apple had rejected an application from a Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist on editorial grounds (which Apple later said was a “mistake”).
In his post Chambers pretty much nails every sentiment I've had regarding Apple and the App store. No I'm not an Apple hater, and no I'm not an MS fanboy, but if the shoe was on the other foot and a company like Microsoft tried to limit the inclusion of Apps based on the same reasoning Apple has listed for removing (or dis-including) them we'd be talking about another MS anti-trust lawsuit or court case.
Apple is using their position to create an un-level playing field and thus engaging in anti-competitive practices. Sure they aren't the only game in town, sure there is Android, Palm, Windows Phone 7, RIM, etc. but they do hold a rather high market share and are a pure monopoly when it comes to Apple products.
Personally I had hoped that Adobe would have tried to make a stand and would have tried to fight to force Apple's hand. Now of course the fact they aren't planning additional investments in the porting tool doesn't mean the fight is over. It simply means at this time they are moving away from the fire.
Fanboy or not, you've got to admit it would be nice to see some of the strangle hold Apple has over Apps and development loosened. You shouldn't have to jailbreak your device, or take up a new programing language in order to appease the Apple gods!
The its their device argument, my rant begins!
I can't tell you how many times I've heard people (mainly Apple fanboys) say its their device and its their App store they can control it how they want. Come on folks open your eyes here. Imagine for a second that Intel or AMD decided that everyone with a PC based on their platform had to run the OS and Apps they choose. Would you not be complaining then?
Intel is involved in the Meego Project, an open source Linux variant OS for netbooks and mobiles. What if they suddenly said every Intel based PC (Macs included) had to run Meego. I guarantee shit would hit the fan!! So please don't give me this nonsensical argument that they can do with their platform what they want.
Apple seem to be held to a slightly different standard than everyone else and they shouldn't be. Nor should Apple fans blindly accept that its their product and they can control it. Everyone should want an open cross-platform environment that allows good friendly competition. Not a restrictive market that can be closed at a whim.
UPDATE Via CNet: Apple has responded to Adobe’s move "Someone has it backwards--it is HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, and H.264 (all supported by the iPhone and iPad) that are open and standard, while Adobe's Flash is closed and proprietary," said spokeswoman Trudy Miller in a statement.
Apple pointing to open standards doesn't impress me. Yes we know CSS, JS and HTML5 are open, that however doesn't mean much when you are dealing with a closed market. The fact that Apple has the power to arbitrarily block a platform or app on whatever basis it decides is my main issue.
If iPhone/iPad users want Flash, and apparently they do then why not be truly open and allow the apps. As Chambers pointed out there are 100's of Apps already approved and in the App store that were built using the Flash-iPhone porting tool that can or will become victims of the new developer program license. If that's truly the case and these Apps are being used, and formerly approved then why not open the standards and accept more? Obviously there was no harm done with the previous Apps.
Note to Apple, just because you support development on an open platform doesn't make you an open no proprietary, cross-development friendly environment.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Android Users Register Now For Flash and Air for Android Betas
Adobe has posted notification sign-up pages for Android beta versions of its upcoming Flash Player 10.1 and AIR products. Originally announced in February, Adobe's AIR for mobile devices is based on Flash Player 10.1, which the company says is optimized "for high performance on mobile devices".
Users interested in trying the Flash Player 10.1 Beta for Android and AIR for Android Beta can register for email notification of the start of beta testing. Registration requires an Adobe membership.
Adobe membership is free and allows members access to Adobe Labs downloads, sample applications, services, and special community areas including forums and wikis as well as access to membership benefits on Adobe.com.
Users interested in trying the Flash Player 10.1 Beta for Android and AIR for Android Beta can register for email notification of the start of beta testing. Registration requires an Adobe membership.
Adobe membership is free and allows members access to Adobe Labs downloads, sample applications, services, and special community areas including forums and wikis as well as access to membership benefits on Adobe.com.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Will An Adobe Vs Apple Lawsuit Lead To An Open App Store?
Rumors are mounting that Adobe is fed up with Apple's tight fisted strangle hold approach to the App Store. In fact many believe that Adobe might be ready to test the waters in court. A move which might force Apple's hand and loosen the monopoly in place.
At issue is the duo’s feud over Adobe’s Flash technology which as of now Apple has refused to let Adobe’s Flash technology anywhere near the iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad system. As of last week Apple basically disallowed anything built on or around Adobe flash. Now Adobe is crying foul over Apple’s decision to not only prevent Flash on the iPhone OS, but also to ban iPhone/iPad apps that were created by converting Flash applications.
This is seems might be the straw that broke the camels back. When Apple released their iPhone OS 4 update they also updated their iPhone SDK developer agreement to rule out the use of cross-compilers like Adobe’s Flash Packager for iPhone – which basically converts Flash apps into native iPhone apps. The updated language in the iPhone OS 4.0 SDK essentially bans any iPhone apps that started their lives as Flash apps.
According to ITWorld sources close to the matter are suggesting that a lawsuit from Adobe is coming in the next few weeks. Officially Adobe's won't make statements about such actions, but there's no question that Adobe wants their slice of the Apple pie.
Apple's Monopoly May Come To An End
The argument that may be the end all for Apple's strangle hold over the App store is that by limiting how and what platforms developers use they are restricting competition with their market share. I've read that Apple accounts for over 90% of all mobile app purchases (personally I think that's an over inflated number), even if the Android market is heating up and other platforms are coming along. With more than 50 million iPhone users, 35 million iPod Touch users, and the growing segment of iPad users they account for a huge share of the market, and by ruling their market with an iron fist they may be opening the door to the anti-trust arguments.
Not only are they blocking Flash but by blocking the flash to iPhone compiler they are effectively blocking several apps that are already built, in the works or slated to be designed. Apple has made no qualms about rejecting apps in the past, but the majority of those haven't had the backing Adobe can muster. If Adobe decides to push the issue and get the courts involved Apple may be forced to loosen their grip which in turn could open the doors for many of those banned apps.
My Thoughts
One thing is for sure it will be interesting to see where things go. Personally I'd like to see the grip that Apple holds loosened a bit. I don't see many other companies out there that have been given the leeway they have when it comes to their reign over the App store. MS faces anti-trust suites constantly over IE, and other proprietary software, yet Apple can ban and block access to Apps like Google Voice, FireFox and others simply because they feel they duplicate apps already loaded on their devices??
At issue is the duo’s feud over Adobe’s Flash technology which as of now Apple has refused to let Adobe’s Flash technology anywhere near the iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad system. As of last week Apple basically disallowed anything built on or around Adobe flash. Now Adobe is crying foul over Apple’s decision to not only prevent Flash on the iPhone OS, but also to ban iPhone/iPad apps that were created by converting Flash applications.
This is seems might be the straw that broke the camels back. When Apple released their iPhone OS 4 update they also updated their iPhone SDK developer agreement to rule out the use of cross-compilers like Adobe’s Flash Packager for iPhone – which basically converts Flash apps into native iPhone apps. The updated language in the iPhone OS 4.0 SDK essentially bans any iPhone apps that started their lives as Flash apps.
According to ITWorld sources close to the matter are suggesting that a lawsuit from Adobe is coming in the next few weeks. Officially Adobe's won't make statements about such actions, but there's no question that Adobe wants their slice of the Apple pie.
Apple's Monopoly May Come To An End
The argument that may be the end all for Apple's strangle hold over the App store is that by limiting how and what platforms developers use they are restricting competition with their market share. I've read that Apple accounts for over 90% of all mobile app purchases (personally I think that's an over inflated number), even if the Android market is heating up and other platforms are coming along. With more than 50 million iPhone users, 35 million iPod Touch users, and the growing segment of iPad users they account for a huge share of the market, and by ruling their market with an iron fist they may be opening the door to the anti-trust arguments.
Not only are they blocking Flash but by blocking the flash to iPhone compiler they are effectively blocking several apps that are already built, in the works or slated to be designed. Apple has made no qualms about rejecting apps in the past, but the majority of those haven't had the backing Adobe can muster. If Adobe decides to push the issue and get the courts involved Apple may be forced to loosen their grip which in turn could open the doors for many of those banned apps.
My Thoughts
One thing is for sure it will be interesting to see where things go. Personally I'd like to see the grip that Apple holds loosened a bit. I don't see many other companies out there that have been given the leeway they have when it comes to their reign over the App store. MS faces anti-trust suites constantly over IE, and other proprietary software, yet Apple can ban and block access to Apps like Google Voice, FireFox and others simply because they feel they duplicate apps already loaded on their devices??
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Adobe Wowing Users With CS5 Preview Videos
Adobe this week released a new video showing users a sneak peak of some of the tools that will be available in Photoshop CS5 when i'ts launched in April. Beware after viewing this video you may feel the urge to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on the new software!!
This video is for the new 'Content-Aware Fill Tool'. This new tool allows you to remove unwanted items, like camera lens flare or stray objects, even big things like trees with a few clicks. Adding, moving and repairing items within your pictures just got a whole lot easier – all you have to do is select the problem area with the Content-Aware Fill Tool, click and Photoshop does the rest.
Honestly all I can say is WOW!! I'm ready to give it a test drive.
This video is for the new 'Content-Aware Fill Tool'. This new tool allows you to remove unwanted items, like camera lens flare or stray objects, even big things like trees with a few clicks. Adding, moving and repairing items within your pictures just got a whole lot easier – all you have to do is select the problem area with the Content-Aware Fill Tool, click and Photoshop does the rest.
Honestly all I can say is WOW!! I'm ready to give it a test drive.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Adobe to Launch CS5 April 12th
Adobe will release the next major version of its Creative Suite collection April 12 via Adobe TV. A teaser site is now live where you can watch some video previews, keep track via a countdown clock and register to watch the global launch on the 12th. Overall, we can't wait to see what new features CS5 will have to offer even if it is out of our price range.
Readers wanting to checkout the launch are invited to pre-register by clicking the image below.
Readers wanting to checkout the launch are invited to pre-register by clicking the image below.
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Adobe Pushing HP's Slate PC
HP along with Alan Tam from Adobe's Flash Product Marketing show off the new HP Slate (HP's new tablet device), featuring Adobe Flash and Adobe Air functionalities.
HP introduced the Windows 7-based Slate back in January at the Consumer Electronics Show, but as of yet the company has released few details and so far has not announced a ship date besides "mid-2010." The device is reportedly going to be priced "below $500", a price that was considered underwhelming at the time of its introduction.
HP introduced the Windows 7-based Slate back in January at the Consumer Electronics Show, but as of yet the company has released few details and so far has not announced a ship date besides "mid-2010." The device is reportedly going to be priced "below $500", a price that was considered underwhelming at the time of its introduction.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Adobe And Avid Sponsor 5th Annual Editors Retreat
"This is Adobe's 4th consecutive year sponsoring the Editors Retreat. Our involvement with high-impact events such as the Editors Retreat provides an important opportunity to engage with the creative community," says Giles Baker, group product manager editing workflows, Adobe. "This Retreat gives us an opportunity to meet industry leaders and use their feedback to enhance the overall Adobe product experience for our customers."
In addition to Adobe and Avid, Automatic Duck, CGM, Digieffects, Freeplay Music, NAB and Noise Industries are sponsoring the Editors Retreat, providing attendees with a phenomenal gift bag valuing over $5000 dollars. A variety of award-winning plug-ins, software, licenses and training are incorporated into this substantial gift, including:
- Digiteffects Megasuite ($799)
- Automatic Duck Plug-in ($495)
- CGM DVE Favorites ($199)
- Adobe Premiere Pro CS4 ($799)
- FMC Training Course ($1,500)
- NAB Post Production Conference Pass ($895)
- Free Play Music, Music License ($100)
- Noise Industries' FxFactory Pro ($399)
"We are excited to have Adobe and Avid back on board as our main sponsors. Because of their continuous generosity, we can guarantee attendees a truly unique experience," says Ben Kozuch, co-founder and President, Future Media Concepts. "They walk away with fresh skills and newfound confidence; compliments of the amazing trainers, speakers and keynotes that come out to the Editors Retreat year after year. I'd like to thank both Adobe and Avid, as well as our other sponsors for helping us establish such a great industry reputation. We look forward to seeing everyone in Miami in January."
Editors Retreat 2010 Details
The Editors Retreat is produced in association with the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB). It will take place at the Deauville Beach Resort Hotel, located at 6701 Collins Avenue in the exotic Miami Beach, Florida. To view footage from the 2008 Editors Retreat or for more information about the Editors Retreat 2010, including schedules and speakers, please visit: www.editorsretreat.com.
Pricing and Registration
Registration is still open and a minimum of 5-years extensive professional experience is required to apply. Attendance is limited and pricing varies per package, but until December 1st, 2009, the promoters of Editors Retreat 2010 will continue to offer $500.00 off the total cost by giving attendees the option to prepare a Peer Presentation on a technical topic they have done commercially. Limited to 75 minutes, sessions can utilize any platform. Past examples include:
- Producing from the Editor's Chair: The Hurricane Katrina Project by Stig Daniels (Avid)
- Cutting the Independent Film by Abba Shapiro (Final Cut Pro)
- Documentary Work and Workflow by Steve Audette (Avid)
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