Write once, deploy anywhere. Sounds nice, no? Sadly it’s not really a reality today. The currently available technologies are very fragmented and today there is no technology out there that makes that dream a reality.

I have a strong feeling that is going to change dramatically in 2010. Some will disagree or say that I am too biased but I really do think it’s going to happen… Want proof? Ok… You got it!

I’m sure you’ve all heard that the next release of Flash (CS5) will allow you to build native applications for the iPhone. Instead of having to learn a new language to built such a native app, you just build it with the tools and technology you all know and love. The demo video below shows an application that I’ve been building the last couple of days. A FailBlog video player that gets all the latest FailBlog videos and allows you to watch them on your iPhone or mobile device. It is completely written in ActionScript 3.0 and plays Flash Video (FLVs with On2 VP6 in this case. So no need to transcode your videos!) on the iPhone. And that’s not even the coolest thing about it! The coolest thing about this is that I can export this as an iPhone application, SWF file and AIR application with just one button click. At the end of the video you’ll see a sneak peek of the same application running on a Palm Pre in its browser with Flash Player 10.1! And that is the power of the Flash Platform! Write once, deploy anywhere? It’s finally becoming a reality!

If all goes well, you should be able to play with the iPhone version of this app before the end of the year. I still have some optimizations to do and have to clean up some bits and pieces but I’m feeling confident that that shouldn’t take too long. Keep an eye on my blog for more details!

Flash on!

Palm is showing off 3rd party applications running on the Pre. I have to say, the more I see this phone, the more I want it. The iPhone has changed the mobile game but I’m sure Palm can shake things up again with the Pre!

Developers can build applications for the Pre using nothing but web technologies like HTML and Javascript. You also get complete access to all the APIs. So all Pre developers will have access to the same functionality as Palm does. Oh and… You may have missed this announcement but Palm is also a partner in the Open Screen Project. And since all OSP partners only have one goal, that can only mean one thing……..

“Flash Player 10 will be the perfect extension to Palm webOS,” said Pam Deziel, vice president, software product management, Palm, Inc. “With this next-generation platform, people expect the same engaging experiences on their phone that they’re used to on their desktops. Together Palm and Adobe are dramatically changing the mobile web, providing the richest experience on the most web-connected platform available.”

CrunchGear.com recorded a bunch of 3rd party app demos.

Man… I really can’t wait to get my hands on one of those.