Is “Digital Editions Add-In” the Apollo framework?

Posted on October 28, 2006 | 3 comments

Adobe Digital Editions is a new downloadable application on http://labs.adobe.com. But it requires you to download an Add-In to make it work. Here is the text straight from the FAQ:

Why do I need to install the Adobe Digital Editions Add-In?

In order to use Adobe Digital Editions you must install the Digital Editions Add-In. It is a special version of Adobe Flash Player that includes PDF and XHTML-based document viewing and local file management capabilities.

Now the only thing that I know Adobe working on to allow a “special version of Adobe Flash Player that includes PDF and XHTML” features is Apollo. I like the name Apollo for the product, but it seems we also have the framework being referenced as “Digital Editions Add-In”. Its all exciting to see how all the pieces will come together.

I looked a little deeper and found “Is Digital Editions an Apollo application?” in the FAQ.

Is Digital Editions an Apollo application?

Not yet. Digital Editions is a specific rich Internet application (RIA) built on the current version of the Adobe Engagement Platform, including Flash Player 9 and Flex 2. The Apollo project is in essence developing the next version of the runtime engine of Adobe’s Engagement Platform. As an RIA that can operate offline and outside the browser, Digital Editions exemplifies the kind of next-generation application that the Apollo runtime will enable 3rd party developers to create.

Either way, I just tried out Digital Editions and its need to have Adobe create products out of their own tools….

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  • http://weblogs.macromedia.com/md Mike Downey

    Hello -

    Digital Editions is not an Apollo application and the project is not related to Apollo, aside from the fact that it employs Flash and PDF technology.

    See: http://weblogs.macromedia.com/mesh/archives/2006/10/digital_edition.html

    Thanks,
    MD

    Mike Downey | Sr. Product Manager, Flash | Adobe Systems

  • http://www.renaun.com Renaun Erickson

    Thanks Mike,

    So DE is not a Apollo application, then what is the DE Add-In that modifies the Flash Player…. straight from the FAQ

    Why do I need to install the Adobe Digital Editions Add-In?

    In order to use Adobe Digital Editions you must install the Digital Editions Add-In. It is a special version of Adobe Flash Player that includes PDF and XHTML-based document viewing and local file management capabilities.

    Whats the version number of the player?
    Does it override my standalone version? my browser version FP?

  • http://www.renaun.com Renaun Erickson

    I went ahead and answered some of my questions, but I am still a little confused about some details.

    The DE Add-In installs a special Flash Player, per the FAQ.

    My player version comes back as 9,0,18,60. I originally had the beta FP installed (9.0.21.75) so I assume DE overrode that player.

    So what features did the special FP (9,0,18,60) include?

    FAQ says – “includes PDF and XHTML-based document viewing and local file management capabilities.”

    This sounds a lot like Apollo, I am confused. I know its not the Apollo framework but its a specialized player that is a lot like Apollo?