CNET Editors' review
As Adobe has focused on Flash Player development in the aftermath of the rise of HTML5, it hasn't ignored its other content-delivery system: Adobe AIR. AIR 3 brings some hefty speed improvements to the system, thanks to a little something new called Stage3D.
In case you're new to AIR, which stands for Adobe Integrated Runtime, it's a platform that runs applications across multiple systems without coding in more than one language. It's powerful and respected for giving people the same end-user experience, whether on Windows, Mac, or Linux. One very well-known AIR app is TweetDeck. If you try to install an AIR app without having previously installed AIR, you'll be automatically prompted to download it.
Stage3D brings combined hardware-accelerated 2D and 3D graphics rendering that's up to 1,000 times faster than previous versions of AIR. Although it's only for desktops at the time of writing, Adobe promises that it will soon take Stage3D to its mobile apps. The advancements offered by Stage3D should bring far more complex graphics development for the player, and allow some developers to use it as a viable alternative for their projects, especially for cross-platform efforts. It includes more support for Android devices including software licensing and hardware, captive runtime support for developers to bundle AIR along with their programs (removing the requirement to separately install AIR), and native extensions for enhancing AIR's capabilities.
AIR has allowed developers to make hybrid applications, or desktop tools that can integrate with various Web services, while still allowing some offline functionality that Web browsers don't yet have. This includes things like taskbar and dock notifications. With these latest updates, Adobe is really improving AIR as an alternative development environment and maintaining its relevance on the Web.
Publisher's Description
From Adobe Systems:
Adobe AIR is a cross-operating system runtime being developed by Adobe that allows developers to leverage their existing web development skills (Flash, Flex, HTML, JavaScript, Ajax) to build and deploy rich Internet applications (RIAs) to the desktop. AIR enables developers to create applications that combine the benefits of Web applications network and user connectivity, rich media content, ease of development, and broad reach--with the strengths of desktop applications application interactions, local resource access, personal settings, powerful functionality, and rich interactive experiences.
What's new in this version: Version 3.1 updates iOS 5 native extensions.
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All versions:
3.3 starsout of 125 votes
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Current version:
3.7 starsout of 7 votes
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My rating:
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Results 1-7 of 7
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"excellent piece of software needed"
Version: Adobe AIR 3.1
Pros
all good works as it should
Cons
nil, nothing so far
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"It easier when you keep them updated"
Version: Adobe AIR 3.1
Pros
thanks to adobe software I am able to upload my vids
Cons
It can sometimes take longer when you are a rookie like me
Summary
Adobe has worked to keep their products working together
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"I just do not use it much."
Version: Adobe AIR 3.1
Pros
I just do not use it much.
Cons
I just do not use it much.
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"Does the job"
Version: Adobe AIR 3.1
Pros
dunno ok iguess
Cons
dunno not ok i guess
Summary
Great for the price
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"I love Adobe!!!"
Version: Adobe AIR 3.1
Pros
it's a program that I am used to.
Cons
None that I know of.
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"I guess it's good."
Version: Adobe AIR 3.1
Pros
I am told that it is needed-can't tell if it is great though.
Cons
Wish it would be obvious that things run better with it.
Summary
This is a needed thing I guess for running videos, so what else can I say?
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"Great! (I guess...)"
Version: Adobe AIR 3.1
Pros
I presume that this program helps my video clips run better on my computer, but I really don't know. This is one of those programs that appear in a message like,
"you need Adobe Air to run this program. Click here to download it."
SO, I downloaded it, and occasionally upgrade it. Truth is, I have no idea what it doesCons
No cons!!!!
Summary
Adobe Air is probably a very good program, as I don't know it's there, and I don't know what it does, but I'm sure it does it well!!!
Results 1-7 of 7
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