Adobe targets tablets with Flash Builder 4.5

Adobe is stepping up its mobile support with Flash Builder 4.5, including tools to develop and deploy applications on tablet devices, while also quickening the release rate of its all-encompassing Creative Suite to deliver a new version every year.

As part of Creative Suite 5.5, Adobe announced new mobile support in Flash Builder 4.5 and Flex 4.5, the latest version of the company's cross-platform development framework.

These will enable developers to build mobile applications for Android, RIM's BlackBerry Tablet OS and Apple's iOS platform, according to the firm.

The new mobile support enables developers to create standalone applications targeting Adobe's AIR 2.6 runtime on all these platforms, the firm said. However, only Android support is currently available, with Flex support for Blackberry Tablet OS and iOS expected in June.

Ed Rowe, vice president of development tooling at Adobe, said that enterprises now need to ensure that applications work seamlessly across many different types of device, especially tablets.

"With these releases, developers for the first time have a single development platform for building highly expressive web, mobile and desktop applications, marking a leap forward for mobile app development," he said.

Flash Builder 4.5 and Flex 4.5 form part of Adobe's Creative Suite 5.5 Web Premium edition, but are also available as standalone products with estimated street prices of £181.20 for Flash Builder 4.5 Standard, £556 for Flash Builder 4.5 Premium, £357 for Flash Catalyst and £556 for Flash Pro.

Adobe also disclosed that it is changing its release strategy for Creative Suite, with major updates coming at two-year intervals punctuated by mid-cycle releases designed to update its developer community with the latest tools and technology.

Under this release schedule, Creative Suite 5.5 is effectively a mid-cycle release ahead of version 6, rumours of which have already leaked to the web.