Adobe Systems is trying to make it easier for developers with the launch of Adobe Device Central CS4 software, its comprehensive next-generation testing and preview environment for mobile content.
The work leading up to the CS4 release was about how Adobe helps designers and developers do more in terms of planning and managing their efforts, according to Anup Murarka, director of technical marketing for mobile and devices at Adobe.
It’s also about how to get all those PC-centric developers to more easily move into the mobile space and helping in the handoff between designers and developers in addition to moving between mediums, according to Adobe executives.
One thing Adobe is offering is a way for developers to test their applications without having to find or purchase dozens or even hundreds of handsets. Similar in concept to what Mobile Complete offers, Adobe is making it easier for developers to preview and test mobile content on devices via an online device library, explained Carol Linburn, group product manager, mobile authoring. The system allows developers to organize, for example, by device sets or carrier.
The expectation is developers might do 70% to 80% of their testing on an emulator and before they attempt to enter a certification process, they would test on real-world devices.
Adobe’s new tools run the gamut, including the ability to capture video recordings of testing sequences and exporting it to a movie file based on the H.264 format. Developers can publish mobile content to an FTP server or send it directly to the device via Bluetooth.
Some examples of content already developed and tested with Creative Suite 4 are as follows: Bacardi’s Mobile Cocktail application, Nickelodeon’s animated SpongeBob Wallpaper, Cell’s interactive Sport Games, Avarto’s Flash technology-based music channel and Dolce & Gabbana’s fashion wallpapers, the company said.
CS4 enables users to test content designed in Adobe Photoshop CS4, Adobe Flash CS4 Professional, Adobe Illustrator CS4, Adobe After Effects CS4, Adobe Premiere Pro CS4 and Adobe Dreamweaver CS4 software.