The Open Screen Project
Today, May 1st, Adobe and a number of industry leaders is kicking off the Open Screen Project.
"So what is this Opens Screen Project of which you speak", whispers the web?
Well, let's set some context.
There's a challenge today across the industry that affects just about everyone. On desktops, there's a consistent runtime for content and rich applications, called the Flash Player (and increasingly for applications, Adobe AIR). But the web is not just desktops anymore, the extended web spreads from phones to MIDs to Settops, consumer electronics, and desktops.
So, together with a pretty influencial group of industry leaders (see website for details), Adobe is kicking off the Open Screen Project, designed to create a consistent runtime environment that removes barriers for delivery of content and applications to everything from mobile phones to desktops.
This project kicks off today, and while it will be a continual thing, Adobe is making some significant announcements as part of the project.
First, Adobe is removing all use restrictions on the SWF specification. While SWF (the binary file format for playback) formerly had a license agreement that limited use of the specification, it's now gone. And BTW, the same applies to FLV/F4V, the streaming format. This is effective immediately.
Second, we will be publishing the port layer APIs for the Adobe Flash Player. Not immediately, but "watch this space". As we, working with the partners on the project create the consistent runtime, that porting layer will be made openly available to enable others to embed the technology easier.
Third, we're going to publish the data protocol specifications that drive Flash Cast as well. Expect to see that roll out over the next few months.
Fourth, with the first release of the runtime from the Open Screen Project, Adobe will remove all Adobe licensing fees from the Flash Player for devices. (Yes, note the "for devices", the Flash Player has always been free for desktops).
(And don't forget the AMF specification, which we published in Feb 2008 as part of the BlazeDS open source initiative. It fits in here as well.)
So what does this all mean?
Well, it breaks down this way. The power of the web is in its reach, open exchange and access. Adobe recognizes that the extended web, reaching from devices to desktops needs to be equally open and as such is removing a barrier that will enable content creation, applciations and access to spread widely. Similar to what we have seen with other open specifications, we expect that innovation and capabilities will appear that we ourselves would never get around to, or maybe even think of.
To us, this is a pretty major step. It's been worked on for a while now, and it's barely started. Since it's just underway, if you'd like more information, email the project at the Open Screen Project.
Ryan Stewart has a great blog on the impact of this. Check out his insights!
So, since I can't say it near as well as our CTO, Kevin Lynch, drop over here and let Kevin tell you why this is important.
And let me know what you think..