Mobile Development for Android, BlackBerry Tablet OS and iOS
Adobe’s CS 5.5 Master Collection focuses on enabling mobile application developers to build applications once and deploy to multiple platforms – Apple iOS, Android, and Blackberry.
CS 5.5 Master Collection helps streamline the development process and for low budget and education development, this could be the difference between success and failure. CS 5.5 also marks the beginning of annual improvements to Adobe’s CS product suite and additional purchase options

Mobile Me
Adobe CS 5.5 Master Collection offers innovations in HTML5 and Adobe Flash authoring tools. Many of these innovations are applicable in mobile application development and deployment within the education field. Right now, the education market is fractured on using tablet devices employing either iOS, or Android operating systems. For education developers, this lack of standardization can result in duplicating development efforts, or only developing for a single platform. Adobe addresses this issue with Adobe Flash Builder 4.5, where content can be developed once and then deployed to multiple platforms.

For instance, Adobe CS 5.5 Master Collection allows designers and users to:

• Deliver mobile applications on Android™, BlackBerry® Tablet OS, iOS and other platforms
• Create rich browser-based content across screens using HTML5
• Leverage Flash Player to deliver premium video content, casual games and rich Internet applications.
• Produce and deploy mobile applications to more than 200 million smart phones and tablets by the end of 2011.
• Apply improved HTML 5 and Flash authoring tools for web based development and deployment.

Reduced Time and Effort to Market
Develop once and deploy to many markets – this is where Adobe CS 5.5 Master Collection rocks. Mobile application developers race against time, money and the feeding frenzy of application users to produce mobile apps across multiple platforms. In the education arena, the market moves a little slower, and there are less buyers. Yet when these education buyers do commit to a platform, they don’t typically reconsider optional platforms. Therefore, it behooves application developers to quickly deploy on multiple platforms. Adobe CS 5.5 Master Collection offers users flexible and powerful tools to address multiple mobile application features.

Deliver Amazing Designs to Tablets and Smartphones
With CS 5.5 Master Collection, designers can create:

• Immersive digital magazines and elegant e-books with accompanying video and audio
• World-class websites based on HTML5 and CSS3 standards
• Interactive mobile applications built with familiar Flash tools that display consistently across Android™, BlackBerry Playbook and iOS devices
• Updates to Dreamweaver CS5.5 (including the Live View mode, CSS panel and Multiscreen Preview panel) that streamline website design to optimize viewing on multiple devices
• And preview desktop, tablet and smartphone browsers side-by-side.

Also, new in the suite are updated versions of Adobe Dreamweaver®, Adobe Flash® Professional, Adobe Flash Catalyst®, Adobe Flash Builder™, the all-new Flex framework for mobile devices, Adobe Device Central and Adobe Acrobat® X Pro.

Flexible Pricing
Estimated street price for the suites are:

• US$2599 for CS5.5 Master Collection,
• US$1899 for CS5.5 Design Premium,
• US$1799 for CS5.5 Web Premium,
• US$1699 for CS5.5 Production Premium
• US$1299 for CS5.5 Design Standard

By subscribing to Creative Suite, customers can choose a one-year subscription plan for lower payments, or a month-to-month subscription for greater flexibility. Upgrade pricing and volume licensing are also available.

For mobile developers and developers working in Adobe Flash and HTML5, Adobe CS 5.5 Master Collection is an upgrade well worth considering. And this upgrade provides flexibility to deploy content to a wide variety of platforms from a single design.

Contact: www.adobe.com

Readers can browse the detailed index that offers subheadings under each chapter, making it easy to find specific points, or techniques. The book’s initial section focuses on getting started (uploading lesson files), setting computer preferences and how to play video tutorials (requires Adobe Flash). Learning what’s new in Dreamweaver CS5 is found in Chapter 16. Each lesson chapter provides step-by-step instructions (no long paragraphs), and numerous lessons are provided on the DVD insert.

Some screen shots throughout the individual sections point out various tools, or techniques identified in the individual directions. However, since this is a beginning Dreamweaver CS5 book, it would be helpful to view more screen shots in the book that specifically identifying cursor placement, or what the screen work area looks like during various steps. However, readers can refer to the supplemental video tutorials, which are very informative and a bonus to this tutorial package.

Self Study Section
At the end of each chapter there is a self study section, plus topic questions and related answers. The individual chapters do not state their estimated time length, but from practicing a few lessons, I would assume the average user may need 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. Video lessons are short and informative.

If you are interested in learning Adobe Dreamweaver CS5, then consider this book as an option.

Contact: www.digitalclassroombooks.com
Cost: $49.99 US; $59.99 CAN

Adobe Flash Professional CS5 Digital Classroom allows beginning to intermediate web designers the opportunity to practice a wide variety of skills learning Adobe Flash Professional CS5. Lesson files and tutorial videos allow the reader to learn how to edit, tweak, and enhance digital photographs. Advanced digital photographers familiar with Flash Professional CS5 can also pick up interesting tips and techniques in later chapters.

Readers can browse the detailed index that offers subheadings under each chapter, making it easy to find specific points, or techniques. The book’s initial section focuses on getting started (uploading lesson files), setting computer preferences, basic to advanced animation, creating and delivering a movie, and how to play video tutorials. Learning what’s new in CS5 is found in Chapter 15. Each lesson chapter provides step-by-step instructions (no long paragraphs), and numerous lessons are provided on the DVD insert.

Extra screen shots throughout the individual sections point out various tools, or techniques identified in the individual directions. Readers can also refer to the supplemental video tutorials, which are very informative and a bonus to this tutorial package.

Self Study Section
At the end of each chapter there is a self study section, plus topic questions and related answers. The individual chapters do not state their estimated time length, but from practicing a few lessons, the average user may need 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. Video lessons are short and informative.

Interested in learning Adobe Flash Professional CS5?  Then, consider this book as your next read.

Contact: www.digitalclassroombooks.com
Cost: $49.99 US; $59.99 CAN

From design styles, motion techniques, uploading video, character animation, Flash to video, interactivity, and extending Flash there are numerous cool tips and suggestions on how to tweak up Flash CS5

Back of the Book
Chapter 11 covers Extending Flash, and Chapter 12 discusses What’s New in Flash CS5. On page 357 information about DVD content and Design styles are available.

Overall, the book layout offers easy reading and detailed directions, plus great illustrations to propel intermediate digimators further into their field. Consider this book if you’re inclined to advance your knowledge in Adobe Flash CS5.

Contact: Focal Press

Price: $39.95 US

Readers can browse the detailed index that offers subheadings under each chapter, making it easy to find specific points, or techniques. The book’s initial section focuses on getting started (uploading lesson files), setting computer preferences and color correction, and how to play video tutorials (requires Adobe Flash). Learning what’s new in Photoshop CS5 is found in Chapter 14. Each lesson chapter provides step-by-step instructions (no long paragraphs), and numerous lessons are provided on the DVD insert.

Extra screen shots throughout the individual sections point out various tools, or techniques identified in the individual directions. Readers can also refer to the supplemental video tutorials, which are very informative and a bonus to this tutorial package.

Self Study Section
At the end of each chapter there is a self study section, plus topic questions and related answers. The individual chapters do not state their estimated time length, but from practicing a few lessons, I would assume the average user may need 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. Video lessons are short and informative.

If you are interested in learning Adobe Photoshop CS5, then consider this book as an option.

Contact: www.digitalclassroombooks.com
Cost: $49.99 US; $59.99 CAN

Readers can browse the detailed index that offers subheadings under each chapter, making it easy to find specific points, or techniques. The book’s initial section focuses on getting started (uploading lesson files), setting computer preferences and how to play video tutorials (requires Adobe Flash). Learning what’s new in Dreamweaver CS5 is found in Chapter 16. Each lesson chapter provides step-by-step instructions (no long paragraphs), and numerous lessons are provided on the DVD insert.

Some screen shots throughout the individual sections point out various tools, or techniques identified in the individual directions. However, since this is a beginning Dreamweaver CS5 book, it would be helpful to view more screen shots in the book that specifically identifying cursor placement, or what the screen work area looks like during various steps. However, readers can refer to the supplemental video tutorials, which are very informative and a bonus to this tutorial package.

Self Study Section
At the end of each chapter there is a self study section, plus topic questions and related answers. The individual chapters do not state their estimated time length, but from practicing a few lessons, I would assume the average user may need 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. Video lessons are short and informative.

If you are interested in learning Adobe Dreamweaver CS5, then consider this book as an option.

Contact: www.digitalclassroombooks.com or www.wiley.com
Cost: $49.99 US; $59.99 CAN

This book demonstrates hows how artists can integrate Photoshop CS4, or CS5 with 2D and 3D applications into a comprehensive, creative environment. For example, Poser and Cinema 4D are 3D character animation environments that can be tied in with Photoshop. 2D images can be used as a basis to create stunning 3D composite images.

One negative feature is the book’s small font, which makes it difficult to read. There’s a lot of white space around the paragraphs, and if the font had been 2-3 sizes bigger, reading the paragraphs would cause less eye strain.

Beyond Photoshop illustrates how to combine 2D and 3D, and push your creativity. All of the examples can be completed with Photoshop CS4, and don’t require the 3D capabilities of Photoshop CS5 extended.

Contact: www.focalpress.com
Cost: $39.95 US

Simple Lesson Structure
In Flash Catalyst CS5 CIAB, each chapter applies simple steps to understanding Flash Catalyst CS5. Each lesson takes about 30 minutes long, and if I become confused, I can return and follow directions which reinforce the material. I’m not a programmer. I’m a freelance writer, yet I realize to advance in media one must broaden their skills. If users are familiar with Adobe’s Photoshop, Illustrator, or Fireworks software, or they are working with individuals creating content using these programs, then understanding Flash Catalyst CS5 allows a better understanding of individual project work flow. As a writer, being familiar with web design, interactive content presentation and project development through Flash Catalyst CS5 allows me to ” walk the talk”. For designers, Flash Catalyst CS5 offers the advantage to create rich interfaces and content, while incorporating a wide variety of media content, no code required.

Work at your own pace, and follow the chapters in the book. Practice lessons are provided in the enclosed CD that help teach how to apply various resources (audio, video, image and text files) to develop engaging, exciting web and media products.

Contact: www.adobepress.com
Cost: $54.99 US, $65.99 CAN

Adobe Premiere Pro CS5 Classroom in a Book (CIAB) is written for amateur video editors interested in exploring and expanding their skills with Adobe Premiere Pro CS5. This book is oriented for intermediate video editors new to Adobe Premiere Pro. Each chapter ends with review questions, with chapter lessons available on the provided CD.

Start From Scratch
The initial section offers basic guidelines downloading Premiere Pro CS5, system requirements, copying lessons, and additional online Premiere Pro CS5 resources. The first two chapters then highlight new features in Premiere Pro CS5, workspace layout, specify settings, importing video assets, and management.

Most of the lessons apply to high definition tapeless video (importing from a tapeless, digital camera), and use XDCAM EX format for demo assets. Chapters 3 and 4 cover the basic format and importing Panasonic P2, Sony XDCAM, and AVCHD video assets, plus key tips to shooting and capturing great video.

Jump Right In

After the reader settles in, the remaining chapters provide in depth lessons on:

• Creating Cuts Only Vide
• Adding Video Transistions
• Creating Dynamic Titles
• Applying Specialized Editing Tools
• Adding Video Effects
• Putting Clips in Motion
• Changing Time
• Acquiring and Editing Audio
• Sweetening Your Sound and Mixing Audio
• Analyzing Content
• Exploring Compositioning Techniques
• Working With Color, Nested Sequences and Shortcuts
• Managing Your Projects
• Exploring Adobe OnLocation CS5
• Using Photoshop and After Effects CS5
• Exporting Frames, Clips and Sequences
• Authoring DVDs with Adobe Encore CS5

Each chapter allows users to work at their own pace. These chapters provide step-by-step instructions to develop advanced video editing techniques. And it’s highly recommended to use Adobe’s online community resources to expand your style and skills.

Go to Adobe’s website, download the free 30-day trial of Premiere Pro CS5, crack open this book, and explore Premiere Pro CS5!

System Requirements for Adobe Premiere Pro CS5: Click here for Windows and Mac requirements

Contact Adobe: Adobe Premiere Pro CS5

Cost: $799 US (may be less from Adobe resellers); $299 US upgrade

Book Contact: Peachpit
or Adobe Press

Book Cost: $59.99 US or $71.99 CAN

Color control is vital to making a subject pop. Nik Software in Viveza 2.0 enhances their powerful color control solution with three new features.

Global Image Adjustments
Of the three enhancements, global image adjustments will be used the most.  Now apply any color, light, or structure enhancement image-wide.  Then  refine the global adjustment selectively using control points. The included levels & curves provide even more control over contrast and tonality.

Structure Adjustment
Control the level of detail in your images for the ultimate look from realistic to artistic.

Shadow Adjustments
Preserve and recover details hidden in shadows.  Yet another tool to control the look and feel of the image.

Training
NIk Software provides both live and video training.  Check out their web site for the current schedule. Downloading the demo and using the training resources is a great way to test drive the product.

For more information on Viveza’s user interface check out my earlier review of Viveza

System Requirements:

Windows

Macintosh

** Nik Software product filters are developed to integrate seamlessly into many popular image editing applications that support the Adobe plug-in architecture and there are numerous software applications that accept Adobe plug-in compatible filters. Please consult your image editing application’s documentation for compatibility and installation instructions for 3rd-party plug-ins.

Cost: MSRP $199.95
B&H Photo Video

Contact: Nik Software