Okay Geek Farm
Why Adobe's "Wallaby" Flash to HTML5 conversion tool is awesome
Brandon DavenportDownload this EpisodeSubscribe on iTunesRSS FeedFollow on Twitter
Adobe has launched a brand new application called “Wallaby” to allow developers to convert exsisting Flash applications to HTML5, and it’s working pretty well so far. There are a number of reasons to be excited, like the possibilities for mobile devices, games and websites to be converted to HTML5, but the real reason to be excited is wondering what we’ll see from Adobe in 2011.
The dark ages of the internet
Years ago, when the internet was still young, web browsers were very simple. They could not play video, audio or handle complex animations and interfaces. A company called Adobe decided to make it possible with Flash. Soon, browsers could play video, audio and even games, and amazing new websites were being created — the frusterating part is, that was 10+ years ago. We need to move forward…
The Present Day
In the very recent past, browsers (Chrome, Safari, Firefox) have adopted new technologies that allow them to play video, audio and display complex websites natively, without a plugin. In 2007, Apple launched the iPhone and to this day, Apple hasn’t supported Flash and we have seen more and more devices take on this stratagy. Furthermore, HTML5 and CSS3 have allowed people to create great online experiences without the need for the end user to run a plugin like Flash or Silverlight.
After many kerfuffles with Apple and web developers, Adobe has finally decided to create a tool to convert Flash applications to HTML5. “Wallaby” is the code name for the experimental converter that Adobe has just released to the development community via Adobe Labs. We are really excited about this.
Wallaby is a cross-platform Adobe AIR application that allows you to instantly convert Flash projects (FLA files) to HTML5 via a simple drag and drop interface. It is available free for download, and we urge you to check it out.
Why this new tool is amazing
- Flash websites will no longer need to require a plugin thanks to Wallaby. Web developers will be able to convert their sluggish Flash heavy websites to HTML5 and CSS3 with Wallaby.
- Developers who want to create rich experiences for the iPhone, iPad and other mobile devices will be able to take their current Flash applications, and convert them to HTML5, so users will be able to use them in-browser — skipping the app-store entirely.
- Adobe could also give Flash the ability to render Flash websites as HTML5 on the fly and Adobe could also allow browsers to do the conversion themselves for legacy support.
Moving forward with flash
Adobe said they wanted to create the best HTML5 tools ever, and they are well on their way to that goal. When you think of it, Adobe could take this technology and build a new app for users to create complex HTML5 web applications using drag and drop. No code would be needed, and it would be easily exportable, and supported by every browser on the market.
If Wallaby takes off like we think it will, this could be the final nail in Flash’s coffin. Adobe could still make profit from selling the HTML5 software, and at the same time, they would be creating a better web for all of us.
Are you planning to test drive Wallaby?
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