Adobe announced the availability of Flash Access 2.0 today at the Streaming Media East 2010 Conference. This is a content protection solution that enables the distribution and monetization of premium video content. The company is also showcasing HTTP Dynamic Streaming, a new protocol support for media streaming on the Flash Platform, and the Open Source Media Framework, aimed at accelerating the development of custom media players.
These tools come before the releases of Flash Player 10.1 and Adobe AIR 2, which are optimized for high performance on mobile screens. The announcement comes at a time when there is a lot of debate in the tech community about the future of Flash. Apple CEO Steve Jobs recently wrote a post on why the company doesn’t allow Flash on its mobile devices. Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen responded via an interview with the Wall Street Journal:
"Adobe continues to innovate and develop media playback solutions that enable our customers and partners to build their businesses and become more profitable; whether it’s by helping to protect and monetize video content or by offering new options for delivering media to the Flash Platform," says Doug Mack, vice president and general manager of Digital Imaging and Rich Media Solutions at Adobe. "With approximately 75 percent of video on the Web delivery with Flash technology, Adobe and its broadcast and media customers are leading the industry and revolutionizing how the digital video industry creates and consumes rich media."
Flash Access 2.0, which used to be known as Adobe Flash Media Rights Management Server, lets media publishers monetize video content via pay-per-view, electronic sell-through or ad-based business models.
HTTP Dynamic Streaming provides content publishers, distributors and developers with tools to utilize HTTP infrastructures for high-quality media delivery in Flash Player 10.1 and AIR 2.
With the Open Source Media Framework (OSMF) Adobe hopes to establish an industry standard for media players. A number of partners are already providing plug-ins for it, including analytics, content delivery, and platform services.
Is Adobe making the right moves with Flash? Share your thoughts in the comments.