Adobe Muse is a web design tool recently announced by the company that allows you to design websites without the need for HTML5 codes. The software works more like a layout program in terms of behavior as opposed to usual web publishing tools, making it easier for design-minded web creators who wish to forgo the usual, more technical task of creating codes and get on with the designing part.

With the Muse, you can “plan your site” quickly with a user-friendly sitemap, “design with freedom” by combining images, graphics, and typography with the use of Adobe tools for design, “add rich interactivity” with slide shows, lightboxes, and custom navigation tools, and preview and publish” your work by creating a trial site hosted by Adobe so you can test your site before publishing it online.

Adobe Muse has the following minimum system requirements for Windows and Mac:

Windows:

• Processor: Intel Pentium 4 2.33GHz, or AMD Athlon 64 28000+
• Operating System: Windows XP Home; Windows Server 2003 or 2008; Windows Vista Home Premium with SP 2; or Windows 7
• Memory: 1GB RAM
• Adobe AIR 3.1

Mac:

• Processor: Intel Core Duo
• Mac OS X 10.6
• 1GB RAM
• Adobe AIR 3.1

Adobe Muse is now available with the following subscription plans: one-year commitment for $14.99/month, month-to-month subscription for $24.99/month, or become an Adobe Creative Cloud member for a monthly fee of $49.99 to get access to Adobe Muse among other Adobe Creative Suite 6 software including Photoshop.

For those still using the beta version of Adobe Muse, the company announced that the public beta program will end on June 15, 2012 so if you wish to continue using the software, better get a paid subscription soon.

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What does this mean? More things, of course! To be more specific, the new software adds things like more tools, a total of 14 refreshed and new applications, and Adobe’s own Mercury Graphics Engine that boosts the computer’s GPU acceleration for faster editing and processing. It’s basically better and faster, while easier to navigate and actually use for hours of detailed image retouching and editing.

As with the rest of the Creative Suite programs, CS6 also has an Extended version, which houses a 3D version of the Mercury Graphics Engine, 3D controls and effects. Aside from that, it’s all the same with the original version.

However, possibly the biggest change to come with CS6 is the inclusion of Creative Cloud, Adobe’s own cloud service. With Creative Cloud, you can get not only the full package of CS6, and full access to Illustrator, After Effects and all the other Photoshop apps, but also two new preview apps, Adobe Muse and Adobe Edge. Muse allows designers to publish HTML5 pages to the web without having to write a single bit of code, while Edge helps with animations for the web using HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript.

Creative Cloud also allows for syncing with mobile devices that have Photoshop apps installed, regardless of whether they’re on the iPad or Android-based tablets. This means files from all the available devices will be automatically synced and ready for use either on the go, in the office, or at home.

Also with the new program comes a new payment system for Adobe, so those who have been shying away from the huge amounts of money the previous apps cost may decide to take a peek. Instead of paying in the thousands upfront, users can opt for a monthly subscription. While the full CS6 package will be priced at $699 and CS6 Extended at $999, going for a subscription will be at $19.99 a month for an annual contract, while a month-to-month contract will cost $29.99 per month. Meanwhile, going for Creative Cloud and all that it features costs $49.99 per month with an annual contract, while a monthly membership will be at $74.99 per month.

CS6 and CS6 Extended are on pre-order right now, and while there’s no set date for the program’s actual release, Adobe says it will be within the next 30 days.

The beta version is downloadable for free via Adobe Labs and is available for the Mac and Windows platforms, contains 65 much needed improvements that came from the users themselves and in turn, Adobe utilized these feedbacks in molded it into the beta version of its critically acclaimed digital imaging software. It is also in apparent view that the modifications will also be seen in the final version of the Photoshop CS6.

Among the new features of the new Adobe Photoshop CS6 are the Content-Aware tools which includes the Content Aware Patch that enables users to duplicate or select an specific area of an image to fill or “patch” while the Content Aware Move instantly moves a desired object to a new position in the image. Moreover, CS6 also modified its performance by adding the new Adobe Mercury Graphics Engine than integrates well known editing tools such as Puppet Warp, Liquify, Lighting Effects and Transform alongside a professional like dark User Interface option.

Vector layers were also changed where users can now apply dashed lines, just like in Adobe Illustrator and gradient strokes with searchable layers for easy organization and filing. Fans of the Photoshop series will also expect a new crop tool, video editing options, custom shape strokes auto select, and auto recovery with an added benefit of a fresh algorithm via the Camera Raw 7.0 plug-in.

Adobe’s Photoshop is by far the most beloved image and photo editor, gaining a truckload of respect from editors and manipulators around the world. Not only does Adobe provide user friendly options and a precise environment where everything is within a mouse click, the improvements they have made with the CS6, sensing that it is only in its beta stage is one sighting that the company listens to the ideas of their consumers to give not only them but the whole community a one of a kind experience when it comes to photo editing and transformation.

The Photoshop CS6 beta will also don all of the features of the Adobe Photoshop CS6 as well as Adobe Photoshop CS6 Extended including 3D editing options and quantitative imaging analysis. Its final version will cost $699 standalone while its extended version will set off at $999. The Photoshop CS6 beta version is free to download in English and Japanese as of the moment. Mac users will need to have at least 2.5GB of free space to install the beta version.

Aside from simply making images looks better and more enhanced, this software also saves time as well. In addition to this, you will also notice that the Photoshop CS6 has a darker interface that will enable its users to have a more immersive experience. Apparently, this darker interface was made with the idea of unifying it with other Adobe software such as Lightroom. According to Hughes, the company focused more on the image itself and not on the interface, but there is always an option for users out there to change its interface to the way it looked before if they really wanted to.

In addition to this, the video also introduced a new feature called rich cursor support, which will give users out there instant information about a brush diameter, hardness and opacity. This makes this new software version even more interesting, don’t you think so? And to think that most Photoshop users out there can be conservative, it will not really be surprising if some of these users will not appreciate the changes at all. Adobe seems to expect this that is why it made it flexible and allow it to change from the darker interface to the lighter one.

See more details in the video below:

The Photoshop CS6 is expected to make its debut along with the sixth version of Adobe’s Creative Suite in the first half of 2012. What can you say about this new Photoshop CS6 and its darker interface? What do you prefer the darker interface or the lighter one?

Apparently, all these applications intend to play a major role in Adobe’s upcoming Creative Cloud initiative, which will basically allow users out there to share, view and transfer files using different devices. This new initiative is expected to be available within the first half of 2012. All the new applications are referred to as Touch apps since these applications were designed in such a way that tablet users will be able to use their fingers and stylus to input. In addition to this, the apps also address multiple areas of the creative process and will transform the way people use tablets.

Here are the six new apps that you can expect under the Adobe Touch Apps line-up:

• Adobe Photoshop Touch – allow users to transform images and photos using basic Photoshop features
• Adobe Collage- an app that allows users to capture and refine ideas and import images and combines inspirational images.
• Adobe Debut – an app that allows users to make presentation to clients anywhere
• Adobe Ideas – an app that gives user an easy-to-use vector-based tool that can be used in drawing
• Adobe Kuler – allows users to generate color themes easily, which is helpful in any design project
• Adobe Proto- allow users to interactively develop wireframes and prototypes for various websites and mobile apps on the tablet

As you can see, all of these apps will basically allow users to enhance their potential and creativity. Other than having Android OS 3.1 version, users’ tablets must at least have 8.9-inch display (1280 x 800 resolution). For iPad owners, one can readily download the Adobe Ideas via iTunes app store for just $5.99. The company also said that the rest of its Touch apps will be available in iOS by early 2012.

So, there you have it, guys! If you want to know more about this tablet then, you can visit their site. And, we love to hear your comments below.

The new Flash Media uses Live Streaming format derived from an HTTP which is Apple-friendly to stream video contents to iOS-compatible devices, Playbook and Android. The Flash Access delivers streaming video using a content protection platform to mobile devices. Both software tools are supported by Adobe Pass which utilizes a single-sign feature in streaming contents from various sources. A live webcast feature is now provided for iPad. The solutions combine delivery and protection to provide the multimedia service.

Flash Media makes it possible to extend the mobile reach of media publishers through devices that are Flash-enabled. Flash Access empowers massive on-demand secure content delivery across compatible platforms with quality protection especially with the expected release of Adobe AIR(R) 3 and the popular Flash Player 11. The Server has the following features: Integrated Content Protection; iPhone and iPad real-time delivery; and On-demand Stream Packaging.

Access features include: Scalable License Delivery; Mobile Device Support; and Compatibility with Industry Standards. Per unit CPM pricing is available for Adobe Flash Access 3.0 while Adobe Flash Media Server 4.5 has a price tag of $995, via Adobe’s website.

Adobe Muse eliminates the need for complicated coding of sites with simple contents. Being an Adobe Air Application, it is compatible to both PC and Mac with the latter enjoying praises in terms of performance. A public beta is only up for tests and reviews without discounting the possibility of a crash or full workability. The Muse still uses CSS and HTML5 and generates clear and readable outputs.

The official release has been set in early 2012 and will be on subscription basis possibly $15 per month with a 1-year lock-in period, or a flat $20 monthly fee. Four outstanding features are noticeable with the tool: Site Planning, Design with Freedom, Add Rich Interactivity and Site Publication. Planning involves selecting Sitemaps, Master Pages, Asset Management, Design Preview and Site-wide properties.

Designing covers Familiar Adobe tools, Dynamic Page resizing, Image Optimization, Round-trip editing and Text and Paragraph Styles, among others. Interactivity uses Auto generated navigation, Embedded HTML, Slideshows, Lightboxes and five other methods. Publication points to hosting, testing, compatibility and deployment of projects.

See more details in the video below.

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Developers out there from different industries such as those from the government, entertainment or gaming will surely benefit from the new Flash Builder 4.5 since it will help them lessen development time and the cost of delivery of building some nice and amazing apps across major platforms. Well, it seems that Adobe is really on the works pushing updates to its Flash Builder in order to bring the latest technology and innovation when it comes to apps development.

And now that the new Adobe Flash Builder can now be used across a wide range of tablets and smartphones, it is also a good thing to note that it also comes with the ability to reuse most of or all of their existing code and also make use of common logic across all platforms. This will definitely lead to the creation of more interesting and amazing applications in your devices.

The new version of the Adobe Flash Builder 4.5 will be offered as a stand- alone product or as a part of the Creative Suite 5.5 Web Premium and Master Collection. Additionally, upon using the new Flash Builder, developers out there will be able to create Flex and ActionScript applications and deploy them using the Adobe AIR software. This will also be a way for Adobe to work around Apple’s no-Flash restrictions when it comes to building apps for iOS devices.

The Flash Builder is now available in two versions- the Adobe Flash Builder 4.5 Standard edition and the Adobe Flash Builder 4.5 Premium Edition that comes with added professional testing tools, network monitoring, automated testing framework, profilers, integration with Flex unit testing and command line build in support. The Flash Builder 4.5 Standard Edition will cost you around $ 249 while the Premium edition cost around $ 649.

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Basically, the Creative Suite 5.5 or most commonly referred to as the CS5.5 is the most-awaited follow-up version of the Adobe’s CS5 that was released more than a year ago. This new version comes loaded with the updated version of Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat, Flash Builder Premium, Flash Catalyst, Flash Professional, Dreamweaver, Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects.

In addition to this, you will surely be interested to know that the CS5.5 also feature significant innovation in the areas of video production and editing and also comes with exciting capabilities in the area of digital publishing. Adobe strongly believes that the CS5.5 is indeed the best version of the Creative Suite that was ever delivered for cross-platform web, mobile as well as tablet design and development.

With this new Creative Suite version, various content authors worldwide will be able to deliver high impact work to various platforms and operating systems, web browsers, smartphones and tablet devices including Android, BlackBerry and Apple iOS devices.

The fact that the CS5.5 can be used in various devices seem to be a very good digital strategy that the company is trying to implement in order to satisfy the needs and the demands of its users that include web designers and software developers out there who are looking for a complete software solution that will allow them to deliver high impact mobile applications and stunning HTML 5 content for virtually any type of screen.

More details about Adobe Creative Suite 5.5:

Adobe has been focusing on the rapidly evolving mobile development market and has managed to position the Adobe AIR and Adobe Flash as ideal tools for mobile developers and application designers out there. And now that they have announced the availability of CS5.5 for download, then it seems that Adobe is out with complete software solution that will bring significant changes in the mobile market.

So what do you think about Adobe’s CS5.5?

Adobe is renowned to create software programs for various multimedia tools, and Photoshop, for one, had been a worldwide hit. It had gone through a lot of revamps, being integrated with more features and a better interface each time. At present, users can only access the Adobe Photoshop program through a desktop.

At the 2011 edition of Photoshop World, Adobe amazed people with introducing a new concept of a portable Photoshop. No, it’s not for laptops. It’s a Photoshop program made for the iPad. A demo has been presented wherein editing videos is as easy as dragging images and pushing buttons. You can simply blend, click and create new layers without confusion. The best part is, the interface is precise. The program even shows you all the layers in a 3D model atop each other, for better viewing.

It seems that the program is well on its way for release, but no information has been released regarding that yet. You can view the live demo at the video provided below.

(credit: photographybay.com)