What is Adobe AIR?

Adobe Air, or AIR (Adobe Integrated Runtime), brings web applications directly to the desktop. We show you exactly what Adobe Air is and how it works in our practical tip.

Adobe AIR - what is it?

With Adobe AIR, Adobe is reviving a counterpart to Google Gears.

• AIR applications can be downloaded via AIR and run directly on the desktop as a normal program. So you don't need a browser or an internet connection.
• Adobe AIR is said to combine the advantages of desktop applications with those of web applications.
• With web applications, the user does not have to worry about updates and operation is independent of the operating system.
• Desktop programs usually have a larger range of functions and can also be used offline. In addition, they usually run more stable.
• Web applications designed for Adobe AIR can be downloaded and installed from the Internet after installing Adobe AIR.
• So far, only a few applications have been optimized for Adobe Air. An example of an AIR application is ICQ.
• We will show you the best Adobe AIR applications in our photo gallery.

In the next practical tip, we will show you how to play Flash content on the iPad and iPhone.