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10.2

Flash 10.2 addresses shortcomings on Android

Adobe Systems has released version 10.2 of Flash Player for mobile devices, which addresses several shortcomings in the inaugural 10.1 incarnation.

Among the features in the new software, according to an Adobe blog post, are these:

• Integration with the browser on Android 3.0.1, aka Honeycomb, so Flash content is treated "as part of the Web page instead of as a separate 'overlay.'" That pages scroll better and look closer to how Web page designers intended.

• The ability to take advantage of better hardware in some devices with graphics chips and dual-core processors--Motorola's Atrix … Read more

Apple quietly releases iTunes 10.2

Amid all the news of the iPad 2 today, Apple quietly released iTunes 10.2 (Windows and Mac), readying the software by adding compatibility for syncing with iOS devices ahead of the coming release of iOS 4.3 next Friday. For the full breakdown of what's coming in iOS 4.3, read our coverage.

Along with compatibility with the latest iOS, the iTunes 10.2 update includes improved home sharing, which means you'll be able to play music and other iTunes content on other computers in your network and on any iOS device (running iOS 4.3) tied … Read more

A time clock simple enough to use

Since prehistoric times when Fred and Barney bashed stone tablets, punching a time clock has changed very little--until software made things "easy," that is. Redcort's Virtual TimeClock Basic Edition is a single-PC time clock program that is designed to turn back the clock for small business owners with just a few employees to keep track of and no time to waste doing it. Yes, it helps you manage time, attendance, and payrolls, but its biggest advantage may be this: it's actually easy enough for the Flintstones to use.

Virtual TimeClock's Welcome dialog lets you create, … Read more

Adobe claims 10x performance from Flash Player 10.2

Flash Player 10.2 (currently in beta) is reportedly going to deliver 10 times better performance according to recent claims by Adobe's Principle Product Manager for Photoshop, John Nack.

The question that immediately comes to mind: "Is this too little, too late?"

Engineer Mike Melanson explains the enormous task load Flash must endure:

"In addition to decoding the data, [Flash] has to convert YUV data to the RGB colorspace and combine the image with other Flash elements. Then it has to cooperate with another application (web browser) to present the video to the user... It plays … Read more

Adobe releases Flash Player 10.2

Adobe Systems has announced a beta release of Flash player 10.2 for all supported platforms (Windows, Mac, and Linux) that includes a new "Stage Video" feature that promises high-performance video playback which uses "just over 0 percent CPU usage," according to a news release issued today.

Adobe has been developing GPU acceleration in recent builds of Flash player, and the Stage Video feature in the 10.2 release now offloads the whole video rendering pipeline to the GPU, so not only is H.264 decoded in hardware, but other adjustments such as color conversion and … Read more