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Flash Lite for BREW

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Last year QUALCOMM and Adobe Systems announced an agreement to develop a Flash Lite Extension for BREW. Adobe’s BREW extension enables Flash content to run on select BREW handsets. Using the extension developers can create Flash applications, screensavers, casual games and more for the BREW platform. Flash Lite for BREW leverages key aspects of the BREW solution, including over-the-air distribution and billing, and provides developers with a path to market for creating and selling Flash Lite content.

Frequently asked questions

What is Adobe Flash Lite for BREW?

Flash Lite is the powerful profile of the Flash player designed for mobile phones and consumer electronics devices. Flash Lite for BREW is a BREW extension that enables Flash content to run on select BREW handsets. Based on Flash Lite 2.1, the technology allows developers to create and commercialize rich, interactive Flash content such as applications, screensavers and casual games for the BREW platform.

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When and where will Flash Lite for BREW be available?

Flash Lite for BREW is available now. The Flash Lite 2.1 for BREW extension is available via Qualcomm’s extranet, and the Flash Lite Publisher for BREW (the post-processor plug-in enabling developers to publish their content in the Flash authoring tool) is available via Adobe’s developer center.

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When will Flash Lite for BREW be available outside North America?

The initial focus is North America. While we cannot provide any details on deployments outside of North America at this time, we recognize the large opportunities with Flash Lite for BREW worldwide.

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Which operators will sell handsets enabled for Flash Lite for BREW?

Verizon Wireless is the first operator to support Flash Lite for BREW.

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Which handsets are certified to support Flash Lite for BREW?

As of April 9, 2007 there are 12 BREW handsets that support the Flash Lite for BREW extension: LG VX8100, LG VX8300, LG VX8500, LG VX9800, LG VX9900, Motorola RAZR V3c, Motorola RAZR V3m, Motorola KRZR K1m, Samsung SCH-A930, Samsung SCH-A950, Samsung SCH-A970, Samsung SCH-A990. Additional handsets are being certified and will be listed in the Flash Lite Development Center for Verizon Wireless Developers.

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How does a consumer get the Flash Lite player on their BREW handset?

When a user selects an application or piece of content or application based on Flash Lite, the Flash Lite for BREW extension is automatically downloaded over the air, immediately “Flash enabling” the handset. This experience is transparent to the user.

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What kind of content can a developer create with Flash Lite for BREW?

Both Flash and BREW developers can use Flash Lite for BREW to create and commercialize applications by leveraging key parts of the BREW solution such as over-the-air distribution and billing. Developers will also have the option of partnering with content catalog providers (aggregators) to distribute and sell their Flash-based content such as animated wallpapers and casual games.

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Will a Flash Lite 2.1 update to Flash Professional 8 be available?

Yes, a free update is available today via the Flash Lite Development Center for Verizon Wireless Developers. The Flash Lite 2.1 update to Flash Professional 8 allows developers to publish, simulate and test Flash Lite content for BREW handsets. A beta release of the Flash Lite for BREW Publisher for Flash CS3 Professional is available through Adobe Labs.

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How will Flash developers get applications and content on a BREW phone?

There are two different models for Flash developers to get content and applications on BREW phones.

In the Direct Model Flash Developers become authenticated BREW developers, submit their application for testing as a packaged mod/mif, and use BREW distribution and billing. The direct model is open to all content providers. It is recommended that a direct relationship with the mobile operator is also put in place. Direct management of the developer/publisher by the mobile operator is determined solely at the discretion of that mobile operator.

The Indirect Model allows Flash Developers to make their content available via a small group of Publishers who are authenticated BREW Developers/Publishers. Then Publishers will aggregate the content and offer it through BREW based content catalog applications.

Direct Model - Building a Flash Application (mod/mif):

  • Flash developer needs to be an authenticated BREW developer
  • Developer uses Flash Pro 8 Authoring Tool to develop application and Flash Lite Post Processor for BREW to generate mod/mif files
  • Developer submits their application to NSTL like any regular BREW application referencing the Flash Lite for BREW Extension
  • This model is open to all Flash and BREW developers

Indirect Model - Using a Publisher / Aggregator:

  • In this case only the Publisher / Aggregator is an authenticated BREW developer (the Flash content developer does not have to be)
  • Flash developers make their content (swf files) (for example wallpapers, casual games etc.) available through these publishers through standard BREW commercialization
  • Flash content will be available through a BREW based catalog application which references the Flash Lite for BREW extension
  • Publisher / Aggregator is responsible for qualifying and testing content before presenting or offering content on carrier network to carrier standards

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For Flash developers interested in the “indirect model,” who do they work with to get their content published?

The following companies will aggregate and distribute Flash content as part of their content catalog application:

Learn more in the Mobile and Devices Developer Center.

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How much does it cost for a developer to get started creating Flash Lite for BREW content and applications?

In order to get started, developers must download the Flash Lite 2.1 BREW Post Processor (for free) and the Flash Lite 2.1 Update to Flash Professional 8 (for free) or the beta release for Flash CS3 Professional available through Adobe Labs. Developers who are interested in publishing applications via the direct model will need to become authenticated BREW developers ($400USD). Please visit the Adobe Developer Center for details.

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How will Developers, Adobe, and Qualcomm make money with Flash content and applications?

The Direct Model monetization works along the lines of the regular BREW monetization model. Developers submit their application referencing Adobe’s Flash Lite BREW Extension and create a price plan (DAP) for the target operator. For every download:

  • Developer receives their standard share of DAP minus withholdings for the use of Adobe’s Flash Extension.
  • Adobe gets paid according to the BREW Extension pricing model.
  • QUALCOMM keeps traditional revenue share from the application.

The Indirect Model also utilizes all available BREW pricing models as the Direct Model, e.g. Subscription, Number of Days, Number of Uses, Elapsed Time, Expiration Date. The Publisher sets a DAP for the BREW based catalog application which allows the user to download Flash content to the phone. Thus:

  1. Publishers will receive their traditional share of DAP minus withholdings for the use of Adobe’s Flash Extension.
  2. Adobe will get a fee for the initial download of the extension, and – if applicable - subsequent fees resulting from the chosen pricing model, e.g. Subscription, Number of Uses etc.
  3. QUALCOMM keeps traditional revenue share from the application.
  4. Flash content providers will be paid by Publishers outside of the BREW model.

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What is the size of the Flash Lite BREW Extension?

The Extension is ~ 800kb. On an EV-DO network the estimated download time is about 10-15 sec.

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Are there any size restrictions to Flash applications / content?

There are no technical restrictions to the file size. However an operator may have limitations for the file size for over the air delivery of content.

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Which version of Flash Lite is supported for BREW phones?

Flash Lite is the Flash technology designed for mobile phones. Flash Lite 2.1 runs on BREW phones, is based on Flash Player 7 and supports ActionScript 2. Additional new features include:

Built on Flash Player 7

  • Action Script 2.0
  • XML data handling
  • Improved text formatting
  • Shape drawing through ActionScript

Tighter device integration

  • Embedded device fonts
  • Dynamic Multimedia (images, audio, video through device specific codecs)
  • Inline video, and pass-through to local codecs

Persistent data management

  • Stores data for re-use
  • Inline Text Support
  • XMLSockets, for low-latency, high-available data connections

Read more about the key features.

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How can Developers learn more about Flash Lite for BREW?

For more information, contact Adobe at flashlitebrew@adobe.com. For more information on Flash Lite for BREW visit the Adobe Developer Center.

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