Adobe Updates Flash Builder and Flex to Support Building iOS Applications

Monday June 20, 2011 6:26 am PDT by Eric Slivka

Adobe today announced the release of Flash Builder 4.5 and Flex 4.5, new versions of the company's rich application development tools that now support cross-platform mobile app development for iOS, BlackBerry, and Android.

Developers now have a single platform for building highly expressive mobile applications that can be distributed via the Android Market, Apple App Store and BlackBerry App World. Offered standalone or as part of Creative Suite 5.5 Web Premium and Master Collection, Flash Builder 4.5 enables the creation of applications that work seamlessly across leading mobile device platforms.

"The reaction from developers to the new mobile capabilities in Flash Builder 4.5 and the Flex 4.5 framework has been absolutely fantastic," said Ed Rowe, vice president of developer tooling, Adobe. "They are amazed by how easy it is to create great mobile apps for Android devices, BlackBerry PlayBook, iPhone and iPad. Companies can now effectively reach their customers no matter what type of device they have."

Adobe has also issued a blog post discussing the update and highlighting some of the applications recently built with the new tools.

Flash Builder 4.5 is available a standalone purchase in both Standard ($249) and Premium ($699) versions, with the Premium version also being included in Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 Web Premium and Master Collection bundles. Flex 4.5 is a free, open-source framework.

Top Rated Comments

BillyBobBongo

193 months ago

Millions of iPad buyers have already decided.

As well as over a hundred million iPhone and iPod touch users.

This isn't a discussion about the Flash plugin, it's a discussion about Flash Builder.

Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)

iSee

193 months ago

People sure get worked up whenever Flash is mentioned.

As a developer believe me when I point out:

* Developers don't care about the Flash debate directly one bit. It's about using tools that meet the needs of the project. All platforms, SDKs, IDEs, etc., have their advantages and disadvantages. It's hard enough to choose the best tools for the job, balancing short and long term requirements without thowing a lot of emontion into the decision. Flash is amost unbeatable in some areas, useless in others and somewhere in between in most. I won't even comment on Flex directly because I haven't used it.

* There are tons of misinformation in this area thrown about.

* The ability to develop apps using Flash will not reduce the quality of apps in the app store. Flash makes some things easy but releasing an app requires a lot of different skills. Flash only makes a few of them so easy "anybody" could do it. You're still going to need developer skills to release apps. There are tons of crap now and a small percentage of good to great apps. That's not going to change.

Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)