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Adobe Genesis: AIR Refreshes The Desktop T
oday's Web 2.0 frenzy has led me to predict that Web 2.1 will be focused on reducing the noise and clutter by continuing to aggregate and connect wonderful web services to really show people a personalized larger picture of their work and lives. Its not going to surprise everyone that this personal funneling (or aggregation) may not come directly from the next hip web site, but instead from a Desktop application. Below I outline some arguments, but for a moment let's remember the power in client Desktops cannot be forgotten nor ignored. Desktop nodes and very powerful devices and for us Flex/Flash developers we know that our Desktop answer is Adobe AIR. So, maybe I'm biased in saying we'll see AIR applications gain respect in numbers. Adobe doesn't plan to miss the next Desktop wave as is evident with the release of Adobe AIR. Now, a project codenamed Genesis, which uses AIR, brings Flex developers a new market for their ActionScript genius. Here are some points to help show how an Adobe Air application could rule all desktops. • Adobe Air is currently distributed on three major desktop platforms: Windows, Mac, and Linux. With the history of flash player technology this triple play will not be overlooked by businesses. Imagine, office staff can use open-source Linux desktops and desktop software that can be the same as their Mac and Windows co-workers, reducing web virus threats from the work place. • Both ActionScript and Javascript programmers can play, so the innovation can come from anywhere. As we'll read in a moment, Flex programmers can join the Adobe Genesis project. • AIR can be connected to web apps, resulting in applications beyond the web browser. In all honesty, with HD video support in Flash Player we could see a trampling of Quicktime as an HD web delivery medium from Adobe platform designers and developers. • AIR contains a built-in web browser engine (Webkit) and a database engine (SQLlite) – that's a power combo.
• 3D is now a part of the new Flash Player (out now), and 3D engines are super popular with Flash Player 9 all year long. We have yet to see the impact on the entire world when 3D ActionScript applications add an official 3rd dimension to our browsing experiences. In getting back to refreshing of desktops, take note that with AIR being cross-platform (Windows, Mac, Linux) that absolves all platform concerns and the conversation of the desktop changes from questioning the platform to questioning what users will use the application and how. Who will use a desktop application? Business users, developers, artists & designers, chefs, moms, dads, kids, medical staff, field electricians.....I think you get the picture. As AIR developers we have the power and platform to not only impress users, but stay with users on their desktops. We need to make sure we cater to that. Adobe's project Genesis is aimed at initially companies looking to organize and mash-up the Desktop with Flex and AIR. Genesis, a codename for now, is not a new technology like AIR, but is instead built using AIR and Flex to provide harmonious desktop applications. If you would prefer to build on top of an existing projects because now at days you know someone on the web started a project before you thought of it. Anyway, Adobe Genesis is that very project providing more than a starting point for custom dashboard style desktop apps that has Adobe's fine design touch to help keep a cohesive look and feel. Essentially, Adobe is bringing that award winning design and software magic to a customizable AIR playground. Genesis is not a design method, nor a set of graphics and code, but instead is an application shell and may have its own API in the future because it can install and run custom Flex components (known as Panes in Genesis), and imagine you don't even have to maintain the shell just your components. Now, imagine you mix your components with other awesome Genesis Panes. That way you can create, save, and share custom Workspaces. How would your office or business function with a custom AIR application catered to your work? Would you build an AIR app for the biz-dev team? How about an AIR app for the help desk team that loads customer browser windows and Panes with popular sites/URL's or issue tickets and their status? Those sound good, right? Now, imagine you have to make all those AIR apps, maintain them, and they're all separated by department and desktops which is so 1990's. Let's consider Adobe Genesis as we can save Workspaces for each department that may or may share Flex components. With that we can distribute common desktops and even train staff quicker since people would be learning Panes over entire software interfaces. For some, a custom office dashboard seems like overkill, but I assure you that this is one of those moments where you can't see how big of an impact it can have on companies until its there being used. Imagine custom workspaces on every desk. by Chris Charlton
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