We are just a few weeks removed from an Adobe/developer cage match, where Adobe’s mobile strategy was bashed and Flash Lite, in particular, was called all sorts of nasty names. No matter what you feel about Flash Lite, you have to agree that is has all but been deprecated (at least on devices that can handle more) with the announcement and soon-to-be-released Flash Player 10.1 for mobile devices.

So, why were there not one by three buzzworthy gadgets running Flash Lite at the recent 2010 CES? While I discuss each device, ask yourself the following: Do these devices represent a resurrection of the 4 year old mobile player? Are they only using Flash Lite because of hardware restrictions? Do the makers of these devices see potential in the AS2 developer community? Is Flash Lite just being used as a placeholder until 10.1 becomes available?

The Sony Dash

Contrary to CNET’s errant post, Sony is extending (not competing with) Chumby’s OS. It’s a huge surprise. This is like a major network (NBC, CBS, etc) announcing they are syndicating a Spike TV show. Sony must really be impressed with the performance and abundance of widgets on the Chumby platform. They licensed it and built a whole new stylish shell around it. The device lists for $199, about twice the cost of Chumby’s own offering. As an avid Sony alarm clock owner, I hope Chumby makes it to the Dream Machine. The big question remains… in licensing Chumby OS for the Dash, does Sony know Flash Lite/AS2 is on the way out? Chumby’s 1500 applications certainly don’t say that.

UPDATE (1/12): Sony will ultimately release its own SDK. Not clear whether this will extend Flash Lite and/or Chumby OS, but pretty interesting.

Light Blue Optics’ Light Touch

The Light Touch looks like the future. I mean, it actually likes like Jetsons/Star Trek stuff. It projects a touchscreen-able color image on a flat surface. The app that generates the display, we come to find out, is powered by Flash Lite. Again, Light Blue Optics sees the potential out there where Flash developers will code AS2 apps for this device. It’s not too far fetched, and @peterelst confirms that if you build a cool device, no matter what the language, developers will come. So if you’re a Flash developer out there, having long since retired your AS2 cookbook, and Cheesecake factory wants to pay you to write a Light Touch menu app, what do you say?

The best part about this product is the way we see it being used in the photos. I love that the device takes on a different look and physical application based on where it’s being used. Not exactly a ‘consumer’ product in the sense that it seems more aimed towards businesses.

litl’s Easel
[Disclaimer: I am the Chief Channel Evangelist for litl.]

Intel invited litl to showcase the device at its booth. At the show others reported about how unique the device is. litl’s use of Flash Lite, as the standalone player for its channel apps makes it one of, if not the largest display (12 inch screen) for the mobile player. In addition to alarm clocks and egg timer widgety apps, the release of the Facebook channel ushers in the reality of more AIR-like Flash Lite apps. The Facebook channel seems to defy the convention of how AS2/Flash Lite apps have appeared and functioned.

litl’s hardware alone suggests even more so that Flash Lite should only be a placeholder until 10.1 is available for it. There is no SDK available yet, but, along with the other devices, the opportunities for content/service providers and 3rd party developers is clear via a unique device with a growing user base.

The average Flash platform developer is mystified by what Flash can (or cannot) do in the mobile space. There are very few coders in the community that can speak to it, and speak to it well. Flash Lite 2.x came so abruptly, and is being trumped by its successor so quickly, that there have been few ground-breaking apps to show developers what Adobe’s mobile platform entry can really do.

When you compare the enthusiasm and activity against other Adobe juggernauts like Flex 2 and AIR (formerly Apollo), it’s hard to explain the absence of leadership for Flash Lite. Those in the space that do post often, are usually informing us of their most recent trip to Asia, or showcasing for us the latest Flash-lite capable device they’ve found in a cereal box. Seriously, there seems to be more constructive commentary on Flash Lite 3 from uber-gadget sites like Engadget than http://www.flashdevices.net/, the self-proclaimed “flash development resource for mobile devices”. I’m not saying that sites like these aren’t good, but they fall short of the frequency and depth of coverage found in many Flex 2 and AIR coverage sites.

My expectations for Flash Lite are soaring, but I need help from you mobile enthusiasts and evangelists to get really excited. Here’s what I’m looking for:

1. SITES: A one-stop-shop that lists each and every device that ships and/or can support the Flash Lite platform. Don’t be shy about having a section that tells me about future devices coming out, and when those devices will be available. Please don’t ‘occasionally’ do a blog post just showing me photos of an array of devices I can’t recognize. A master list, showing the device, model name/number, carrier and availability date, updated even weekly, would be perfect.

2. VIDEOS: Follow the lead of video.onflex.org and show me compelling Flash Lite apps and how they work. Profile those cutting edge developers who love to show off their work and their code.

3. BOOKS: There is one book on Flash Lite. I own it. It is pretty cool. But it reminds me of another Macromedia/Adobe platform that only had one book covering it, and that was the now-notorious Flex 1.5. Publishers, I’m sure, are more than willing to fund and publish some Flash Lite books, and I know there must be a handful of authors looking to write well on the subject. Although there is a sufficient amount of documentation on Flash Lite (there was, I believe, for 2.x), nothing says ‘really learn me over the weekend while sitting by the pool’ like a nice book on the subject.

4. more SCOTT JANOUSEKs: Has there been a more single throttling force for Flash mobile (outside or inside Adobe)? Can he be cloned and put through whatever superhero evangelist training program that folks the likes of Mike Downey or Ted Patrick go through? Got to mention Mario and Alessandro here too, for their decent and frequent postings and presence in the field.

So, I don’t think I’m asking or expecting too much. Flash Lite 3 (according to the now ancient February 2007 press release) is expected first half of this year. There is still time to get this going right and I promise you, Adobe, if you provide and nurture resources for the platform as I’ve suggested above, you’ll have a quite the significant following.

Personally, I worked a lot with Flash 2.x and I am very excited about FL3. Like so many developers though, I am super busy with Flex 2 and AIR-related projects. It really will take more than just a cool and novel factor this time to draw me into the Flash mobile world, again.