Adobe is seeking Android Flash and Air testers

THE SOFTWARE FIRM that Steve Jobs doesn't like, Adobe is asking testers to sign up now in order to receive the first betas of Android Flash and Air, while simultaneously announcing that it is delaying them.

In a blog post, the firm said that it has started private beta trials already, and will soon open up the testing to public users. "We are really looking forward to getting these technologies into your hands as soon as possible", said Adobe.

Adobe has not announced actual release dates, but they are delayed. While users will now have to wait until the second half of the year to get their hands on Android Flash Player 10, the company has promised that its betas will let users do "So many interesting things".

Working on Android will bring new challenges to developers, Adobe explained, and will require developers to learn many new skills, and helpfully it has provided some supporting information. So if you're a mobile developer, you might want to read that (PDF) at your leisure.

As for the betas, there are separate subscriber lists for Flash 10.1 and Air 2.0, and Adobe asks that potential testers sign up as soon as possible.

The release might come as a relief for developers looking to work on Flash applications for mobile devices, particularly as the use of Flash has been denied on Apple's Ipad.

Last week the firm also announced that a BlackBerry version will be out soon, too. µ