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Why Apple’s restrictive iPhone 4 SDK License is a non-issue for academics

Posted by gregwalsh on Apr 10, 2010 in Flash, Mobile, Research

I did not know that Apple announced a new iPhone OS, let alone a new software development kit (SDK). So when I heard about it, I looked it up in Google News and saw the restrictive license as a trending topic. I read the Daring Fireball article [link] that most people are referencing and agree with his interpretation of the license, but, I don’t think any of it will matter.

In summary, Apple’s new license says that developers must use either their own programming environment for native apps or use only approved languages, like Javascript, for web-based apps. It specifically says, “Applications that link to Documented APIs through an intermediary translation or compatibility layer or tool are prohibited.” That means that the new Adobe Flash CS 5’s export (or compile) to iPhone is prohibited. There are other programs that help end users create apps without using Apple’s development environment.

I don’t think this will have any effects on researchers. I know some people who were looking forward to using Flash to create a prototype iPhone app for HCI research purposes. I think this will still be doable. Prototype apps are loaded onto iPhones from Apple’s development tool, Xcode. If this is true, Adobe must have intended for Flash to export to a format that can be uploaded to an iPhone (and eventually the app store). So, if it could be uploaded to an iPhone for testing, it should still be uploadable under the new license.

My understanding is that the license is not enforced by software, meaning, that Xcode does not currently check your code for violations to the license. The checks come when the app is submitted to the App Store and a license violation is a sure bet to being rejected. If this is all true, you should be able to upload your prototype application to several handsets for testing. Even if you can’t turn it into a publicly available app, you should still be able to do research with your prototypes.

NOTE: I could be completely wrong. Apple could institute a software check and ruin everyone’s research plans.

 
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flashObject vs swfObject & SCORM

Posted by Greg Walsh on Aug 14, 2007 in Flash

This is more of a note to myself:

I used my friend’s SCORM conformant Flash template that he created in late 2005/early 2006. He stopped using it in a SCORM LMS and then added the code to prevent the ActiveX control from appearing in IE. I started a project last year with it and just got the files back “assuming” that I could plop it into my LMS. Unfortunately, the version of flashObject (1.3.c) he used since moving away from the LMS blocked the setValue calls from the Flash movie so it wouldn’t pass the score. It wasn’t until my other colleague recommended I use a newer version of flashObject, swfObject 1.4.4, that it worked.

End nerd talk now.

 
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This guy is awesome

Posted by Greg Walsh on Feb 9, 2007 in Creative, Flash, Random

Pendleton Ward is possibly one of the most creative/imaginative artists I’ve seen on the internet. I wish I had thought of this movie.
[link]

I could see him making a sweet Parapa-like game.

 
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Line Rider for DS and Wii (from Game|Life)

Posted by Greg Walsh on Dec 20, 2006 in Flash, Games

Wow. This was a Flash Game and now it’s for a console?!?!? Rad.

Game|Life

 
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Happy Birthday: Flash is 10

Posted by Greg Walsh on Aug 9, 2006 in Flash

Yes, the software I use every day and have used everyday for almost 9 years, turned 10. I’m sure Word and Excel are older, but, how many tools let you make a game featuring boxing presedential candidates OR watch a web video on YouTube? Yes, thanks to Flash, I not only can do my job, but can also be inandated with animating ads. Punch the Monkey!
Abobe (Was Macromedia) Anniversary Site

Wired News Article

 
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Flash 8 is bloat-ware

Posted by Greg Walsh on Jun 3, 2006 in Flash, Random

Not that anyone cares about my personal opinions on Macromedia/Adobe Flash, but, I am not happy with Flash 8 on my Mac. I’ve used Flash since version 2 and have never had too much of a problem with it. Right now, I’m really disappointed in its performance on a G4 15″ laptop (1.2 GHz, 512MB). It’s very unresponsive to shortcut keys and everything seems to lag. I went back to MX2004 and was surprised at how springy it seems in comparison.

Of course, nothing will seem as fast as Flash 5 on OS 9…but hey, I can hope.

 
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deconcept>FlashObject:Javascript Flash detection and embed script

Posted by Greg Walsh on Apr 19, 2006 in Flash

Thanks to Bill for sending me this link on how to fix the Flash error that every IE user will have in a few weeks.

[Link]

 
4

FLVs from AppleScript and ffmpeg

Posted by Greg Walsh on Mar 15, 2006 in Flash, Media

If you’re not a nerd, read no further.

An article I wrote based on batch processing videos into Flash Video (flv) files on a Mac. It’s just a plain html doc…no fancy formatting (yet).

[Using Applescript and FFmpeg (through ffmpegX) to create Flash Video Files (FLV)]

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