Porting Flash onto Google Android Smartphones (G1)

If there's one characteristic that is supposed to distinguish Google Android smartphones from the rest of the pack, it's the open source orientation to software applications. The idea's foundation is that the free and open environment will liberate software developers to be their most creative.

No single application for mobile devices has been as widely anticipated as Adobe Flash Player and it now appears that Bellvue, WA, based Bsquare may be on the verge of porting Flash technology onto an as yet undisclosed Google based device. Wonder what it could be?



By inference, we can presume that such action would make Flash technology available for other Android devices as well. Bsquare is an embedded systems company that says that it has ported Flash to over 100 devices, though not specifically to those running Android, as was initially reported.

Adobe Flash is a widely used software program for creating and playing animations, including movies, using computer programs, most notably web browsers. Flash has become something of a generic term referring to both Adobe Flash which is the program used to author animated content and Flash Player which is the program used to view that content. It's commonly used in video gaming, streaming video and other animated web features.

Last November, to great fanfare, Adobe demonstrated Flash Player 10 on a T-Mobile G1,raising expectations of an imminent release of the program. As of now, however, Adobe has not released the program though it is still presumed to be in the works. The release promised by Bsquare is a case of the Flash technology being ported, or adapted, to an Android device, not release of the Adobe player itself.

Bsquare's press release states that it has been tapped to port Adobe's Flash technology onto Google's Android platform for a global Tier 1 carrier. It makes no reference to which device or wireless carrier will be involved. Bsquare's CEO Brian Crowley stated "We believe that our value-added products and services can improve the Android experience for users and help our customers get their devices to market faster." We're all waiting to see the promise realized.

Check out our smartphones review site for the best in objective reviews of devices that are actually available. And keep abreast of the latest technology news with our Tech Blog:

Android App Shows You What's on Store Shelves

The White House is Open for Questions

Video Game Advertising More Effective than TV Ads?

Wi-Fi Enabled Mintpad to Give iPod Touch a Run for Its Money?

Verizon Rated Best Wireless Service, Call Quality Gap Narrows Among Wireless Providers