Adobe AIR offers direct link from desktop to website
Technology blurs line between online and offline world
Last Updated: Monday, February 25, 2008 | 12:56 PM ET
CBC News
Adobe Systems officially released a software development system Monday that allows computer users to access websites without opening a browser.
AIR (Adobe Integrated Runtime), available in its test or beta version since last June, allows developers to make programs that can mimic the functions of a web browser, but do not require a browser to run.
After a quick download, users can click a participating company's logo on their desktop and begin searching its site.
The technology reduces the waiting time for downloading images and data because the desktop is constantly updated while the computer is online.
Several applications have been built around AIR. One example is eBay Desktop, which can deliver auction and product notifications to users without requiring them to launch a browser.
An AIR-based application has also been developed for AOL users, who will be able to search for and view music videos on the website when they are offline.
NASDAQ has an application called Instant Market Replay, which lets traders view recordings of all stock transactions for a given market.
Adobe says AIR runs on any operating system. It is a more powerful version of widgets, the customizable little web pullouts often provided by third parties like Google.
The AIR application removes any kind of go-between, giving companies a direct, constant and versatile link to the consumer, said Adrian Ludwig, a spokesman for Adobe.
"The browser was in the way and the widget, in some instances, was in the way," Ludwig said. "It's the willingness to let the brand of the person providing the application to take front and centre."
Adobe says AIR enables developers to create rich internet applications (RIAs) on the desktop with the web technologies they already use, including HTML, Ajax, PDF, Flash and Flex.
There is no cost to end-users. Adobe plans to make money from AIR by selling software development kits to programmers.
AIR is available for both Windows and Macintosh operating systems. A Linux version is expected to become available in future, but when that might happen is not known.
With files from the Associated PressShare Tools
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