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Maximiliano Firtman's Forum Nokia Blog
A Flash Lite alternative in Java ME?
firt | 31 October, 2006 22:49
Sun Microsystems and Laszlo Systems, announced the code name Orbit Project. This project will allow open source framework OpenLaszlo to generate Java ME midlets without Java programming. Will it be the Flash alternative in Java platform for mobiles?
OpenLaszlo is an open source framework to develop Rich Internet Applications using a declarative XML file (called LZX) and JavaScript language (ECMAScript, similar to ActionScript too). Up to the last stable version (3.3), this framework compile to Flash SWF format for the web. Next version, OpenLaszlo 4.0 "Legals", in preview version 4 up today, can export the same project to other "engines", like AJAX-DHTML. Orbit will add support to compile to Java ME applications (JAD & JAR?).
I've worked with OpenLaszlo, so I already know the platform... I'm teaching this platform in presencial and eLearning way (in Spanish, I'm sorry). It's flexible, free, it can work over any web technology, it can make "less-code" cool animations and effects easily, and it reads XML and bind the data to visual controls. By the other side, there aren't books available about this platform, help files are a bit confusing sometimes and the only IDE available is an Eclipse plugin with too many bugs, without advanced visual or drag & drop features.
After the announcement, we have many question unanswered, like: will it compile MIDP 2.0 applications? Will it need any API like SVG in the phone? What Laszlo features will be available in the Java ME runtime? They announced that in december the first working demo will be available.
"Now with further extension to support the Java ME platform, OpenLaszlo will offer an unprecedented level of development portability and flexibility across a wide variety of Java technology-based phones, television set-top boxes, and other connected devices. Support for OpenLaszlo applications further enhances one of the key strengths of the Java platform – the ability to support development environments and authoring tools targeting a broad spectrum of developer skills and preferences.", OpenLaszlo team said.
We know that Flash is a powerful Java competitor in mobile multimedia applications development and that's because Java needs to evolve. I think that Sun found a solution to offer rapid rich and multimedia application development easier over Java ME platform.
If OpenLaszlo can offer a better IDE to work and more organized documentation in the future, it can be an alternative to Flash Lite. What do you think?
For more information, visit www.openlaszlo.org/orbit
Flash, General, Java |
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Re: A Flash Lite alternative in Java ME?
handsoft | 02/11/2006, 16:03
I had worked for mobile devices for many years, recently I tried Flash lite 1.1, honestly, it surprise me, it has a great implementation, good access to hardware resources, and. its Flash! :-)
I don't think that J2ME is more powerful that Flash Lite, J2ME is tied up by standards and security conventions. Ok, ok. Flash is a proprietary platform, but I think If Macromedia makes their moves in the correct ways, may take the first position on short time.
About OpenLaszlo, I enjoy XML coding, it's a very good alternative to Macromedia classic IDE, about J2ME output, mmm.., It seems easy in theory, but in the real world, the are a lot of hardware differences, and for mobile business is VERY important the optimization.
Carlos Olivera T.
http://www.series60.com.ar/blog/
Re: A Flash Lite alternative in Java ME?
WeArab | 06/11/2006, 11:38
Nice move from Sun and openlaszlo
Regards,
Arab
http://www.WeArab.Net/
Re: A Flash Lite alternative in Java ME?
nickgerig | 06/11/2006, 13:14
J2ME maybe a pain to work with (from what I have heard), but it is definately more powerful in terms of access to phone information, and rendering of graphics. There are plenty of things you just cannot do with Flash Lite because the frame rate just drops to 4,5,6 fps or there is no api - you need to inface with some other technology such as J2ME or C++. Admitedly FL 2.1 is a little better.
But I think the big hindrence will be deployment of the player. FL is licensed to Nokia, SE, Motorola, LG, Samsung, BenQ Siemens, BUT only Nokia are seriously deploying it and making it available to developers. SE are still working with it on limited handsets, but mainly just for closed to 3rd party UIs. Samsung - using it lots but for UI only. The rest have yet to deploy, if they do in fact deploy.
Cheers
Nick
Re: A Flash Lite alternative in Java ME?
kadnan | 06/11/2006, 17:30
Re: A Flash Lite alternative in Java ME?
firt | 06/11/2006, 18:48
Adnan,I think Adobe is working on a standalone emulator so you can use it from outside Flash Professional software. I don't know anything about Nokia's emulator integration. It'll we very useful if Adobe can distribute a free SDK to develop Flash Lite app without buying Flash Professional, as they did with Flex 2 or as OpenLaszlo works.
Re: A Flash Lite alternative in Java ME?
nickgerig | 01/11/2006, 00:27
Sounds like it will help some types of developers, but I think one of Flash Lite's greatest assets is the IDE which people have acquired knowledge with. So even if OpenLaszlo gets a half decent IDE its never going to be something that designers can jump into having used it for years.
Especially with the Adobe/Macromedia unification I think the Flash IDE will become untouchable in terms of bringing design into the development process.
Of course Java is much more powerful than FL and given the long deployment process for the FL player, it may not matter how good the Flash IDE is. Java has dominated mobile for a good few years and FL will need more than just a good IDE and player to change that.
Cheers
Nick