Posts filed under 'AIR (formerly Apollo)'
The ITunesMetadataReader application is a very basic AIR example of how to use the new Metaphile project to read out MOV (H.264) file metadata. The source of the project is included in the AIR application, to access it right-click on the application and click view source.
The Metaphile project is on google code and now includes an implemented MOVReader as well as an ITunesData class. It might not be the best name for it, but right now the class only reads out some of the metadata defined to by Apple’s ITunes application.
The application was shown in the session I gave at 360Flex Atlanta. There other part of the session I showed how to play H.264 files in Flex and see all Metadata that the Flash Player reads in. You can see the live demo and source for the Flex app at:
http://renaun.com/h264/H264VideoTest.html
UPDATE: More general Flash Video info was also presented by David Hassoun at 360Flex Atlanta - check it out here (Titled: Latest Tips and Tricks With Flash Video in Flex)
February 26th, 2008
2007.12.28 UPDATE: v1.3 of QTIndexSwapper requires AIR Beta 3
With the release of the Flash Player 9 Update that supports H.264, we can now play a subset of H.264 movie files. The problem is most of the H.264 files have the index at the end of the file which for progressive download means you have to download the whole file before you can start watching any of the video.
In the notes from Tinic Uro, Adobe engineer working on the changes, there is mention of a C application that helps with rearrange the inwards of a movie to put the index at the beginning. Thus help with the progressive download issue. To this end I have create an AIR application which does the index swapping for you.
Its called “QT Index Swapper” (v1.3 using AIR Beta 3 as of 2007.12.28), get it at http://renaun.com/air/QTIndexSwapper.air. And if that isn’t enough I have also made the source available inside the AIR application.
There will probably be some quirks and many files that might not work. But give it a try and let me know what you think. I was converting 500Mb-600Mb movie files that I have in MP4 format to play on my PlayStation 3. The files were being converted in under a minute, just beware that the AIR app might act like it is hanging while reading that much information. Just wait for it to run and watch the new file being created.
August 22nd, 2007
I have had some code working for a while that stopped working with the latest build of Flex Builder 3 I installed. The code was an AIR application that received messages from arbitrary Flex applications using LocalConnection. The problem with LocalConnection and AIR is the inherent security issues that arise. AIR is on the desktop with no domain sandbox and the Flex apps usually are coming from application with domains. So typically I set the allowDomain() method on the LocalConnection instance, and then it works.
I didn’t change any of my code and I was getting a mystery “Error #2044: Unhandled statusEvent:. level=error, code=”. After digging around for a while I noticed the Security class in the AIR framework and that it also had an allowDomain method. I added Security.allowDomain(”*”); to my code and it started working again.
LocalConnection with AIR and Flex on the Mac OS X seems to be a bit weird at times. So I am not sure it was a Mac, AIR, or Flex thing. But if you come across some strange #2044 with no explanation make sure your Flash Player/AIR security sandboxes are correct by setting allowDomain where ever needed (Security, LocalConnection instance, etc…).
July 21st, 2007
There is a new derby that is going along with the release of Adobe Integrated Runtime (AIR). The prizes are just plain crazy. I haven’t seen a derby this big. The grand prize will be a trip of a lifetime worth up to $100,000. Their will also be 5 other category winners with a really nice prizes full of a newly loaded Mac Pro (8 core) and goodies to go along with it.
Read for yourself…
Too bad I can’t compete as I am currently a contractor for Adobe and in the process of becoming a full employee of Adobe.
June 10th, 2007
Diggnation Epsiode 90 (March 22, 2007) has some interesting content, at least the first 6 minutes. This episode was sponsored by Adobe Apollo Project, they showed footage of the ApolloCamp, and they talked about Apollo Google Maps VCard Apollo application. The footage of the ApolloCamp has yours truly, you can find me looking at my laptop at about 5:03 of Episode 90.
Being at ApolloCamp is way better then making it on diggnation but it is cool to see the publicity Apollo is getting.
March 30th, 2007
If you haven’t noticed Apollo made it up on Slashdot. Its always a chore to read through all the posts/tangents. Some of the funny things I kept seeing where people calling it “Appolo”. Alot of posts of course where on parts of the EULA and licensing lock down paranoia.
Here are some random posts (there is a lot to help people understand):
I’m sure the player will be free, the SDK not so free.
by Red Flayer (890720) on Monday March 19, @04:05PM
In which way is this different from Java webstart? AFAIK that does about everything described above? Maybe it has more shiny graphics? PSSST, Adobe, hear this…. Make some software which makes it easier to develop forms on websites. Make it connect to and auto-update from your servers.
by spectrokid (660550) on Monday March 19, @04:32PM
i think the advantage over Mozilla’s XUL (with an X) is that it does flash… which essentially means that it’s more friendly to flash designer types who can’t code, but can create basic flash apps via point and click. I’d also imagine that it would be easier to create highly customized, complex interfaces (i.e. outside the standard button, etc. components).
all that being said, there’s good gui logic why you wouldn’t want to create extremely customized, complex interfaces. there’s also overwhelming good reasons why flash designer types who can’t code should be kept in arenas where they don’t code… and thus, XUL would probably be a better choice for 80% of applications requiring a cross platform runtime environment.
by Anonymous Coward on Monday March 19, @05:56PM
Thanks Adobe. Porting my viruses to Windows, OS X, Linux, *nix, *nix, *nix is such a pain in the ass.
Now I can do it in just one go! Oh sweet!
by BillGatesLoveChild (1046184) on Monday March 19, @05:49PM
Well go have fun responding to all the Slashdot responses, you could spend months over there trying (and probably only trying) to help people understand Apollo. People come up with their own ideas of what Apollo is and isn’t really quick.
March 23rd, 2007
When I read the release notes about Flex Data Services new release on labs, as well as the name change to LiveCycle Data Services, I was interested in learning more about the Apollo integration. Steven Webster’s website seems to have a good overview, an in particular the paragraph below explains a use case for LCDS and Apollo:
One of the exciting features about Apollo, is the ability to work completely offline with web-delivered applications - LiveCycle Data Services is poised to play a key role in that use-case for your offline yet data-oriented RIA. Flex applications using LCDS will receive improved support for local queuing of outbound messages when the client is disconnected, with management of these messages when server reconnect occurs. A local data cache further supports future Apollo application support, enabling you to cache client data requests and data changes on the local file system, for later retrieval when the application resumes. It’s exciting to see all these different pieces of the framework coming together to offer elegant architectures for the delivery of Rich Internet Applications in either an occasionally connected desktop or browser-based deployment model.
March 21st, 2007
With Adobe announcing $100,000,000 dollars of venture capital funding for Apollo projects it will be interesting to follow who might be getting the money. Although Bunchball funding has been in the works before the announcement a quick trip over to their Jobs posting comes up with “desktop (Apollo)” in the job description for “Client Software Engineer”.
http://www.bunchball.com/about/jobs.html
This is only the beginning…
October 31st, 2006
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….
October 28th, 2006
