Despite the rivalry between Flash and HTML5 dominating headlines in the web design world over the past year, Adobe is touting the HTML5 features in its latest release, Creative Suite 5.5.
According to senior vice president David Wadhawani, "Adobe is leading the charge for HTML5 authoring with new capabilities in Creative Suite 5.5 that will radically enhance the delivery of HTML content across multiple browsers – on the desktop, tablets and smartphones. For creators of mobile apps on iOS, Android or BlackBerry Tablet OS, our latest Flash tools deliver stunning high-performance apps, without having to start from scratch for every device."
CS 5.5, the first of a series of "between version" releases for the Creative Suite software, also introduces a new subscription payment model for Adobe. The company will give users the choice of purchasing the software traditionally for prices from $1,299 to $2,599, or alternately to "rent" the Creative Suite software on a monthly or annual basis.
Despite highlighting the HTML5 support, designers and developers should not expect a major WYSIWYG creation engine for HTML5 Canvas or SVG. Rather, CS5.5's HTML5 functionality is more along the lines of code hinting in Dreamweaver, along with the inclusion of HTML5 starter templates. Adobe has talked in the past about creating a standalone standards-based animation tool, and has released an experimental tool, Wallaby, for exporting Flash to CSS-based animation. However, users may have to wait until CS6 (or 6.5, perhaps) to see any such functionality in full-fledged commercial form. CS5.5 also includes a number of other updates to many Adobe applications. New features include support for the jQuery Mobile framework in Dreamweaver CS5.5, the use of Photoshop Smart Objects in Dreamweaver, improved typographical tools for Flash CS5.5, and improved workflow for Flash Catalyst and Flash Builder.
