Adobe Systems today introduced a new Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), codenamed “Cocomo,” that can let developers easily add real-time social capabilities into Web applications via “cloud” computing. Using Cocomo and Adobe Flex, developers can include collaboration features like real-time audio/video and chat in their existing applications, or build entirely new ones such as multi-player games or social media applications that run cross-platform using Adobe Flash Player or Adobe AIR.
Cocomo is comprised of Flex client components, a hosted services infrastructure, and a simple but powerful development model. Now, developers can rapidly build rich user experiences for real-time applications in a matter of days instead of months. Further, because Cocomo was designed with security in mind, developers can confidently build multi-user applications that are easier for people to use and trust.
Adobe uses Cocomo in Adobe Acrobat 9 software and Adobe Reader 9 software, as well as Acrobat.com, to provide end users with access to real-time collaboration within and around PDF documents. This capability can enable users to drive a group’s navigation through a PDF document in real-time, helping ensure everyone is literally, and figuratively, on the same page.
Real-time social features that can be added to Web applications include:
- Robust Data Messaging
- VoIP Audio
- Webcam Video
- Real-Time File Sharing
- Text Chat
- Contextual Presence
The Cocomo public beta is available immediately for free sign-up at http://www.adobe.com/go/cocomo.