Adobe/Macromedia’s Flash Lite is just that--Flash for your cellphone or other handheld device. It’s been big in Japan for quite a while, and it’s caught on quickly in the U.S., spreading worldwide. The first version of Flash Lite, version 1.1, allowed for rich content delivery--but the latest version, Flash Lite 2, expands that to support ActionScripting 2.0 and Flash Player 7. Flash Lite is used to deliver highly customizable user interfaces and a greater depth of content.
So what’s the difference between my old cellphone interface and a Flash Lite interface?
Remember the first web pages? White pages with Times New Roman text in various colors, and the coolest thing you could do with it was make it blink? A few grainy images here and there, tossed about discordantly--no style, no synchronicity. Then came DHTML, CSS, and more--along with people with better design sense. Included in that “more” was Flash, which helped upgrade the web to a more visually appealing place with a unique, more intuitive method of content delivery and navigation. Flash Lite does the same for your cellphone.
So…does my cellphone/mobile device support Flash Lite?
It’s quite possible that it does; you may already be using it and not even know it. Check out the list of supported devices here; you can also download the Flash Lite 2 Player. There’s also a Flash Lite Player for Developers, with multiple links to purchase based on your location.
I want to create my own mobile phone applications for Flash Lite.
If you’ve already got Flash Professional 8, then you’re lucky; the latest version of Flash comes with the templates and design guidelines you’ll need, as well as a Flash Lite emulator. If not, you may want to look into getting it.
But wait--I have more questions!
Adobe/Macromedia has answers, in their Flash Lite FAQ.
