Oct

26

I wasn’t able to attend MAX this year, but have been following the announcements via a far. The biggest for me has been the Verizon announcement that they are starting to populate their deck with games made using Flash Lite, which means distribution of the Flash Lite runtime via BREW. Any distribution will have the potential of exposing Flash Lite as a good technology for mobile devices. The graphical UI that can be achieved is simply on another level compared to other widely used technologies. And the development workflow is simply the best in class.

Awesome right? Hold on. I’ve written about this before. The very last comment is very informative. As is this information on BREW at Wikipedia. As stated in that entry, the steep cost of entry is a barrier to most hobbyists and independent developers. Which accounts for a high percentage of the Flash Lite developers currently, myself included.

Sure, I have lots of ideas for Flash Lite games and apps, have some built or in the process of being built even. Mostly I build for my own use and amusement. I simply am unwilling to foot the upfront costs needed to get my content on the decks. Perhaps others will be willing, however I don’t see that happening.

When I first heard of the relationship between Verizon and Adobe (then Macromedia), my hope was that Adobe would work out a deal that their development community could have an easier method of entry and one that doesn’t have the upfront costs. Apparently that wasn’t worked out.

If anyone from Adobe is reading this and is privy to the details regarding entry costs, I am sure the community would like to hear them, because right now it is looking like the least expensive route has us paying $400/year for 100 application licenses. And that doesn’t include testing and certification costs which will be over $750 each run depending on the apps abilities and use of any APIs. Nor, in the end, does this guarantee whether or not Verizon will actually like/approve the app and put it on their deck. Tis risky.

Don’t get me wrong, I like the technology. It’s the cost to the developer that I don’t like. And I guess in the end, this isn’t Adobe’s fault either, it is simply a result of Qualcomm charging too much for BREW so they can monetize at least some off of the carriers that are reaping all the rewards. At least that is the way it looks to me, I could be wrong, and would be willing to hear the facts if someone wants to present them.

Oct

24

I’m sitting here listening to the latest Gillmor Gang and I have to say that Jason Calcanis is the best, most entertaining voice in Podcasting. Period. Steve is a genius for inviting him and Michael Arrington. Gillmor Gang is once again the best podcast out there. I was starting to lose interest, but it’s back.

Although I agree with the members, Steve, quit cutting the show up into small chunks. Everyone is just skipping the first 4 minutes of ads.

Oct

6

Lost in the Big Apple

October 6, 2006 | 7 Comments

I’m heading to New York next week. Some business, some pleasure. But I’m compiling a list of the things I want to do when there. I haven’t been there since 94, so I’m sure it is much much different (i.e. no adult clubs in Times Square)

First things on the list:
- check out the Nokia store
- check out the glass cube Apple store (maybe get my son a Mac Mini)
- eat at Mesa Grill

Anyone from New York reading this and can make some suggestions? I hear Morimoto has a new restaurant in NYC again. I would like to find the Amoeba records of New York. One thing I miss about living in San Francisco was the food, but a close second was Amoeba.

I’ll be spending some of my time working from the offices of Fort Wayne native, Zach Klein. Can’t wait to meet the rest of the Connected Ventures crew. I see the digital life conference is next week as well. Perhaps there are some parties going on I can attend. If anyone has any insight, let me know.

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