Future Versions of NetFront to be Flash-Enabled

[Ed Hardy]

ACCESS Co. today announced an agreement to integrate Macromedia Flash support into its NetFront Web browser.

Read more at http://www.brighthand.com/article/Ne..._Flash-Enabled

[rsc1000]

Finally. We can expect flash in the not-to-distant future on all Palm OS 5 devices - i've been disapointed that only sony devices have had flash. does anybody know for certain if they had an exclusive arrangement with sony originally? there is no technical reason to not have flash for T|T, T|C, Z71, Garmin iQUE etc. - its been curious that they havent released a version.

[abosco]

Yes, the Flash Player 5 included in the Clies was a deal with Macromedia and Sony. It was encouraged and supported by PalmSource to do this.

However, even though NetFront may have a Flash plug-in (I called it a week ago!) in the future, it doesn't mean the Palm itself will be able to play the SWF file like the NX series currently does. PalmSource will have to cut a deal with Macromedia to include Flash Player 5/6 into the OS, but I don't think it's currently viable since Sony has first dibs on Flash at the moment.

Who knows, I need to read up on it.

[ZuberB]

I'm still slightly confused about NetFront.

Is it proxy based like the Palm Browser on the TT. And if it is, is that just the PalmOS (Sony Clie) version or all platforms.

Zuber

[Ed Hardy]

Originally posted by ZuberB
Is it proxy based like the Palm Browser on the TT. And if it is, is that just the PalmOS (Sony Clie) version or all platforms.

Neither of the Palm OS versions nor the Pocket PC one are proxy based.

[ZuberB]

Cool,

I could have sworn I read somewhere that it was Proxy based on the Clie. Probably confused with the TT.

Off topic, but I actually like having proxy based now on the TT (since they fixed some bluetooth bugs on last update). By shrinking images etc. it allows me to view sites much more quickly than viewing directly when using a 9.6k mobile connection.

Might miss that whenthe new Zaurus arrives.

Zuber

[rsc1000]

>>Yes, the Flash Player 5 included in the Clies was a deal with Macromedia and Sony. It was encouraged and supported by PalmSource to do this.

Why would PalmSource encourage this? It would be much better for the platform if this was available to all Palm OS devices. I can't imagine a situation where flash was only available to Dell desktop PCs, or only on Toshiba brand Pocket PCs - so why do this here? The logical answer is that Sony paid out a hefty amount of cash for exclusivity - but i can't imagine PalmSource encouraging this.

[abosco]

PalmSource encourages each Palm OS OEM to make deals with other companies to make their models more attractive. This is an effort to stave commoditization. This is also the reason why Docs To Go isn't bundled in the Palm OS, but Palm SG and Sony feel the need to bundle it with their Palms, as well as how Samsung bundles QuickOffice, etc.

For more information, you may be interested in this interview:

http://www.palminfocenter.com/view_story.asp?ID=4777

Quote:

"PIC: Is Macromedia Flash a part of the OS5 License?

DF: Not at this time, no. Sony worked with Macromedia on their own, and that's a good thing: we don't want to stand in people's way when they want to add something excellent to their products."

[imported_argent]

Amazing. I have to go to extremes to keep websites from pushing flash-based advertising on me, and everyone's talking about this as if there's nothing wrong with flash being a requirement on so many websites.

If you can't get to a website because it requires flash, then TELL THAT WEBSITE that they're cutting out access for handicapped users, for users on slow links, and 90% of the time they have no good reason to do so. There are a few compelling flash applications, but the vast majority are using it for nothing that couldn't be implemented in standard HTML.

The same is true for Javascript and every other extension beyond HTML 3.2. Websites should first get their site working right on *STANDARD* browsers, then start adding fluff.

[abosco]

I would kill to have my weekly StrongBad emails on my NX.

As long as there's more RAM in the updated NX with the new version of NetFront, there's no big deal. Chances are, you'll have the option to turn off the Flash plug-in similar to what they do with being able to turn off Images, Animations, Tables, CSS, and Javascript.

For the future version of NetFront, there are a few features I'd like to see implemented. The first would be a Flash plug-in. The second would be a full screen option. I don't need three title bars all the time. The third would be percentage zoom levels in addition to Framed and Fit-to-side views. Fourth would be screen rotation. Fifth would be the option to make it the default web browser... this way, if I tap a web address in an email or IM, it'll open up NetFront and take me there.

Add these in, and it's perfect.