Adobe gave a boost to cross-platform mobile development with the launches of Flash Builder 4.5 and Flex 4.5. Both development tools can now build apps for iOS devices as well as the BlackBerry PlayBook and future BlackBerry Tablet OS devices. The app had supported Android as of April but can now harmonize publishing to multiple platforms at once with a sole core code base.
Adobe has formally launched Flash Builder 4, a new suite of web development tools. The software replaces Flex Builder, which was originally intended to aid only with rich Internet applications based on the Flex framework. Flash Builder is said to have improved coding and testing features, as well as support for the future Flash Catalyst design/development bridge.
Two core Flash technologies have entered the open-source realm, according to an Adobe announcement. The first of these is Strobe, now known as the Open Source Media Framework. Developers can use the technology to build media players around Flash, adding extra features as wanted or needed. The second is the Text Layout Framework, which allows for special typography functions in web applications.
Eltima has released v4.0 of its Flash Decompiler Trillix software. The program deconstructs SWF files, allowing conversion into other formats. The update supports converting SWF files into Flex code, and can also process several files simultaneously, or break out content into elements such as images, sounds, videos and fonts.
Adobe has patched multiple exploit holes present within recent versions of Flash, a company security bulletin informs. The vulnerabilities primarily affect Mac and Windows editions of Flash software at or below v10.0.12.36, as well as the Linux Flash Player starting with v10.0.15.3; the principal exploit involves luring people into loading a malicious SWF file, which exposes a computer to hacking. Two fixes have been made to deter "clickjacking," triggered by clicking on a particular space on a webpage.
Developer 4D says it has published v11.2 of the Web 2.0 Pack, a combination of its Ajax Framework and For Flex packages. The suite is intended for developing rich Internet and desktop applications, and includes a variety of tools and plug-ins designed to simplify the process. Aside from Ajax and Flex, the software supports platforms such as AIR and Google Gears.
