Adobe Offers Marketplace for AIR Only Apps
Adobe - is now offering the option of using Shibuya, a new marketplace service for desktop (not in the mobile division yet) Adobe AIR application programming. Shibuya is quoted as being “a monetization service for developers creating Adobe® AIR® applications.”
Adobe states that developers “can start selling your AIR applications with a try & buy licensing model.
Shibuya has the following benefits today:
Easy to enable try/buy: When you are developing your AIR application you simply embed the licensing SWC in your application, enter a few lines of code and specify the price/trial periods online. It’s that simple to enable a try/buy in your application.”
What does this mean to consumers?
It seems to me (this is obviously presumptuous) that Adobe is interested in selling AIR apps through their own service, circumventing the iPhone and Android marketplace completely. This may work with Javascript, Flash and eventually OpenGL ES 2.0 applications due to AIR’s ability to utilize processors like ARM and Nvidia’s Tegra 2.
“NVIDIA is working with ARM and Adobe to ensure Adobe Flash technology takes full advantage of NVIDIA Tegra computer-on-a-chip solutions through open standards such as OpenGL ES 2.0,” said Michael Rayfield, general manager of NVIDIA’s mobile business. “ARM CPU technology, tightly integrated with NVIDIA’s ultra-low-power GeForce GPUs and media acceleration, enhances the ability of Adobe Flash technology to provide the full Web experience and compelling user interfaces in the palm of your hand.” – Adobe Press Release
Over 90% of common two dimensional programs could be written in AIR, solving the cross platform compatibility issue in one fail swoop while landing Adobe the cornerstone of mobile software programming. Considering all of the heat (see Apple hates Flash) created by the refusal of Apple to adopt Flash on the iPhone or the iPad (releasing in 2 weeks), this may be the silver bullet in Adobe’s arsenal.
AIR is similar to Flash in that it can be installed on any O/S, if permitted. All content can be implemented without having to recompile the application for each alternate platform. For instance, if you want to run your Javascript program on the iPhone, just build it into the Adobe AIR compiler. Once complete, the same Javascript program will run through AIR for Android, Web OS, Windows 7, Etc. As long as the O/S can run a version of AIR your software will work, without having to create an individually unique version depending on the platform. Additionally, AIR has a smaller footprint than Flash, and seems to be less tedious to develop for.
A source close to Adobe mentioned this to me:
“I’m sure (Adobe will) make a big announcement and it’ll be everywhere. They’ll want to get this out before the new iPhone version comes out and steals any thunder. With mobile AIR in place before the (next) iPhone launches, I’m thinking it will draw a LOT of attention of App Developers. I’ve looked into that myself, thought of using “GameQuery” a JavaScript 2D video game jQuery plugin to build some sweet mobile AIR apps via JavaScript. Here’s just a basic tutorial, but this is what JavaScript can do using GameQuery: http://gamequery.onaluf.org/demos/3/
That’s just straight JavaScript that can be converted into an AIR app and soldon all mobile devices, with just a common web developer skillset. I had a year or so ago considered being a mobile app developer–1$ from even 1% of 10 million iPhones or whatever is a LOT of money…but I would have had to learn Objective C back then. Now, suddenly, this is all possible using JavaScript! Amazing!”
I have to hand it to Adobe, skipping the marketplace, besides the AIR platform installation itself, would be a genius move. Not only do they take the bother of multi-platform programming out of the picture and get a stipend from the creator using AIR apps that are sold through Shibuya, they also remove the argument of increased battery usage and CPU power needed to handle said applications. This may not solve the issue of high definition Flash video being so processor hungry on devices, but that is handled with Flash 10.1 and a compatible CPU/GPU from Nvidia or ATI.
The next 18 months should be very interesting with new iPad, Notion Inks’ Adam, and Hp Slate being released while Adobe stirs the pot.
Tegra 2 Running Adobe Air at Mobile World Congress 2010:
See more about Abobe AIR as Kevin Lynch demos new AIR 2 features including enhanced support for mass storage devices and native application processes.-
Playspan’s press release:
Adobe Systems Incorporated announced on 03-03-10 that PlaySpan has been selected to power the payments platform for Adobe’s developer service, codenamed Shibuya, that was first announced at Adobe MAX 2009 and has been in private Beta. Shibuya enables Adobe developers to monetize their Adobe AIR applications through a try-and-buy mechanism, and provides an easy way for them to upload and sell their applications on the Adobe AIR Marketplace.
The process is as simple as adding a few lines of provisioning code, setting the price and trial period, and publishing the application. Developers also receive reports, analytics, and automatic settlements on a monthly basis.
Consumers can discover applications on the Adobe AIR Marketplace, and then try them for free. If they like the application they can purchase it using a credit card, PayPal, an Ultimate Game Card(R) or over 85 other global payment methods provided by PlaySpan. Visit the Adobe AIR Marketplace to see live examples of Shibuya-enabled applications.
“We chose to work with PlaySpan because they are a leader in digital goods monetization,” said Danielle Deibler, Senior Engineering Manager — Flash Platform Services. “They have clear focus on creating a great user experience plus a comprehensive system for managing all the details of global consumer payments and developer on boarding and settlement.”
“PlaySpan is thrilled to work with Adobe and Adobe AIR developers,” said Karl Mehta, Founder & CEO of PlaySpan. “The digital goods space is highly specialized and this is a perfect use case of our technology practices in global consumer payments and working with individual developers so that they can sell their applications and manage their own businesses. It’s a fantastic new cottage industry that Adobe is helping create.”
Shibuya is currently in a limited public beta. Once the service is commercially deployed as a full product, Shibuya will be available to all Adobe AIR developers. For more information on Shibuya, please visit the Shibuya web site at http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/shibuya/.
About Adobe Systems Incorporated
Adobe revolutionizes how the world engages with ideas and information – anytime, anywhere and through any medium. For more information, visit www.adobe.com.
About PlaySpan
PlaySpan(TM) is the global leader in monetization solutions for over 1,000 online games, virtual worlds, and social networks. PlaySpan’s patent-pending in-game digital goods commerce and micropayment platform enables game publishers and developers to generate new revenues, acquire new users, and extend the loyalty of existing users.
PlaySpan also provides global payment solutions through its UltimatePay product which enables users to make safe, convenient, and friendly in-app purchases using over 85 global payment methods in 180 countries. UltimatePay includes PlaySpan’s ULTIMATE GAME CARD, which is a pre-paid card available in over 45,000 retail locations across North America and growing rapidly worldwide.
PlaySpan is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices in Ohio, Virginia, and Mumbai. Investors include Easton Capital, Menlo Ventures, STIC and Novel TMT Ventures. The company won the 2009 OnHollywood Category Award for Best Gaming Company.
For more information about PlaySpan, visit: http://corp.playspan.com
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