14 DAY TRIAL // Adobe announced the availability of the latest version its web conferencing software Adobe Connect 8. The latest release features some general improvements, better video and audio quality, more collaboration features and so on, but also a great expansion in platform availability, with new mobile and desktop clients.
"Today, we introduced Adobe Connect 8, the next major version of our web conferencing solution for delivering effective and engaging Web meetings, online training and webinars," Adobe's John Cristofano announced.
"Based on Adobe Flash Player, the latest version provides enterprises and governments broad capabilities for powering rich experiences across multiple devices, while maintaining easy, reliable meeting entry," he added.
Among the headline new features is a revamped user interface which Adobe says will make it easier for users to manage and modify the conference session.
The existing collaboration features have been improved as well, including sharing, chat, video, notes, Q&A and the whiteboard. These add a new layer to the conferencing software since they enables participants to share ideas or even files during the conversation.
Developers wanting to integrate conferencing features should welcome the improved software development kit for Adobe Connect 8. The new SKD adds support for Adobe Flex, Adobe Flash and Adobe ActionScript 3.
Users, though, will most likely appreciate the new AIR-based desktop client. The new client is cross-platform, courtesy of the inherent capabilities of Adobe AIR. The client can connect or even set up conferences, replacing the need for a dedicated web page. Users can also download recorded sessions.
Another big addition are the mobile clients. Adobe has went all out and created Connect clients for the most popular platforms out there. Connect now works with Google Android devices as well as any smartphone that comes with Flash support.
Adobe has also created a dedicated mobile app for the iPhone and the iPad, which lack Flash support. The ban on Flash on Apple's mobile devices has been the source of a heated debate, but it looks like Adobe has found a way to work around the setbacks.