Adobe Likes HTML 5 After All, Announces New 'Edge' Tool

Adobe shows signs that it likes HTML 5 after all by announcing new design software called Edge. The tool for animation and interaction design will provide more opportunities for people to be successful with HTML 5 since it is spreading popularity across browsers and mobile device platforms.

Adobe has viewed HTML 5 as a competitor to its proprietary Flash program. The release of an HTML 5 supported software show signs that the company is willing to move forward side by side with an emerging application.

Motion and interactive graphics have been huge since its introduction by Adobe Flash nearly 10 years ago. The rich user animated experience has taken websites to another level and the demand for it on mobile devices is expected to be high.

Flash has up until now dominated the scene, but an up and coming HTML 5 has crept in due to its compatibility and W3C specification support with major web browsers such as Firefox, Explorer, and Chrome. Adobe recognizes the popularity of HTML 5 and has decided to embrace it rather than compete.

The user interface for Adobe Edge works similarly to its current After Effect and Flash dashboard. The software continues to utilize timelines, property panels, key frames, tweens, and enables easy creations of HTML pages along with animation. A WebKit browser is centered on the interface screen which allows for setting events, copying/pasting, and scheduled changes. The platform utilizes HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code. The low div count combined with JavaScript and CSS makes the experience lighting quick running with CSS3 and jQuery for animations.

According to Appleinsider, a beta software is set to launch and Adobe has high hopes of receiving feedback from users in order to improve future versions.

"We know that we need to get out early and we need to get lots of feedback from customers and we need to really move quickly to adapt to that feedback," said Heidi Voltmer, a developer at Adobe.

The company has no plans to scrap Flash just yet. In fact, they see gaming, enhanced online video and business apps as main components in their blueprint for Adobe's Flash technology. But with Edge, the software could possibly handle much of the code production for mobile browsers for Android and iOS.

A free version will be available for download starting today from the Adobe website. A full complete version and cost has not yet been announced.

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