10 Jun 2010

Media-Rich, Flash eLearning Course running on the Google Nexus One

This is a video demo that I created to show how easy it is to convert older Flash eLearning content so that is optimized for mobile devices. There is an actual demo towards the end that shows how smooth it runs on the Google Nexus One (running Android 2.2 FroYo and Flash Player 10.1 for Mobiles).

 

RESOURCES:

Authoring mobile Flash content for multiple screen sizes

Optimizing Performance for the Flash Platform

4 Jun 2010

Apple's HTML5 Showcase is anything but OPEN!

 

I noticed a link to Apple's HTML5 Showcase and I thought it would be interesting to see what they are demoing, so I took a look... Nice page and initially looks like a good variety of demos...

 

I quick learned that I couldn't access demos within Google Chrome, Internet Explorer or even Firefox. I had to use Safari... WTF!?!?!?!?

 

Déjà vu! For a second there I had flashbacks to a few years back, using a Firefox browser and trying to access a site that requires ActiveX and would only run in Internet Explorer. Scary! Don't get me wrong, I completely understand HTML5 is still in development and browser companies are still building HTML5 features as they are established and change, BUT ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME... I have to use frickin' Safari?


Sean Michael Kerner of InternetNews.com said, "...if HTML5 is truly about creating an open web standard for all, shouldn't an HTML5 demo page highlight standard features that work across all HTML5 compliant browsers?"

 

Correct if I am wrong, but I thought HTML5 was about any content, any device, any where! 

I did try it on Safari just to see the demos. Overall, sure it was pretty cool. Overall there is still a bit of lag with the processing of the JavaScript from time to time. Everything was nice until I got to the HTML5 VR Demo. It said this demo not only requires Safari, but it also requires me to be on an Apple machine!!! Apple has clearly gone past Adobe's requirement for a 3rd party plugin, this is requiring the users to have a certain type of hardware. APPLE THIS DOESN'T BELONG IN AN "OPEN HTML5 DEMO" 

 

It's like Jason Calacanis put it when talking about Steve Jobs at Wall Street Journal's D8, "Jobs fired away at Adobe over the Flash issue. He discussed how his closed platform is actually open because they support HTML5. He discussed why Google is toast (no one searches anymore, if they want a restaurant they just open the Yelp application)."

 

Again, correct if I am wrong, but I thought HTML5 was about any content, any device, any where! 

 

Apple's HTML5 Showcase on the Google Nexus One... I went ahead and tried it on my Nexus One, just for fun.

  • HTML5 Video Demo - Got this message, "This demo contains H.264 video. Windows users can download QuickTime to enable support fro this industry-standard format." - This is a frickin' riot here! Apple bashes Adobe for needing a proprietary plugin to view content and Apple requires the same thing here. Its a freaking double standard here!
  • HTML5 Typography Demo - This demo actually worked, BUT definitely not optimized for mobile consumption on the Nexus One. Tried it on my iPhone and it worked well.
  • HTML5 Gallery Demo - This actually worked very nice, with the exception that I was not able to select the drop down to change Gallery demo styles.
  • HTML5 Transitions Demo - Worked very nicely.
  • HTML5 Audio Demo - Worked well.
  • HTML5 360 Degree Demo - Kind of worked. Really, really choppy.
  • HTML5 VR Demo - Same response as attempting to view in Safari on my PC... I need a Mac product to view.

 

Apple's HTML5 Showcase = FAIL

 

2 Jun 2010

AT&T Tethering = FAIL

AT&T again proves to be less than innovative.

I swapped to AT&T when I wanted to jump into the iPhone craze and at the time they were a much better option than Verizon Wireless in my area. AT&T just announced they are getting rid of the unlimited data option for mobiles. This is a step backwards in my humble opinion. Give people freedom (or unlimited data) and then say, "Ha... just kidding. No unlimited data for you."

I'm not terribly upset by the data limit considering I'm going to be paying $5 less per month for 2 GB of data. Especially since I usually use between 500-1000MB per month.

What really irks me, is that they are charging an additional $20 per month for tether option! This is absurd! Its the same bandwidth no matter how you split it and they want to make me spend an additional $20 per month for it. I would really like to be able to take my iPad or netbook anywhere and be able to connect via the Nexus One or iPhone. This is really a sign of a company who is less than innovative!

Just my $0.02

 

 

Lee Graham's Posterous

I'm Lee Graham and I'm a Flash Platform Developer, Lead eLearning Developer for Harris Corporation PSPC, Android fan, well-rounded-geek, Co-Founder of TRImaginationfiancé to the world's most beautiful girl!


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