Is Flyer worth the hype?
Felipe Andrade created Flyer for Flash Lite using Python for Nokia S60. The Flyer framework is great—it lets you access never before seen features with Flash Lite such as integrating with a mobile device’s camera, bluetooth, filesystem, (potentially) GPS, and much more. But is Flyer worth all the hype?
Flyer was built to extend Flash Lite 2.1 features with Python for S60. That’s quite a few prerequisites: Flash Lite 2.1 (the latest version of Flash Lite), Python (not preinstalled on phones), and a Nokia S60 device. I love what Flyer is trying to do, but I am reluctant to jump on the band wagon since the likelyhood of consumer adoption is low due to what is required to make this framework function.
When would I adopt Flyer? When it works on the current consumer standard version of Flash Lite. If your on Verizon, that would be version 2.1 However, Python for S60 is not synonymous with Python for BREW. And if your not on Verizon, that would be version 1.1.
My final thought is that I love what Flyer is doing—I just wish that it extended Flash Lite 1.1 and did not require a consumer to install Python and the Flyer framework (and yes, I realize that these are pipe dreams).
What are your thoughts? Vote, or comment on whether or not you think that Flyer is worth the hype.
‘Flyer’ extends Flash Lite’s features using Python for S60
Felipe has announced the first release of Flyer. Flyer was built to extend Flash Lite features with Python for S60. Flyer is based on the Flash Lite 2.1 integration with Python for S60 and contains the following features:
- Take photos with device camera from Flash Lite
- Take device screenshots from Flash Lite
- Send files over a bluetooth connection from Flash Lite
- Get the contact entries in the default device database
Flyer is open source—if you use it please contribute to Felipe. It will help him to develop and expand the Flyer framework.
Future releases (May, 2007)
- Sound recording and playback
- File upload to a remote server
- GPS module to display latitude, longitude, satellite count, and time
- Record device screen!
Links:
Flyer
Felipe Andrade
Python for S60