Adobe launches new apps for tablets

Betting big on the rising popularity of tablet PCs globally, IT firm Adobe Systems has announced the launch of six new applications for iPad and Android tablets, including apps for creative tasks such as photo editing and web page design.

The apps— dubbed Adobe Touch Apps— designed for Android tablets and the Apple iPad were unveiled at the MAX 2011 technology conference in Los Angeles yesterday.

The apps address multiple areas of the creative process— image editing, ideation, sketching, mood boards, website and mobile app prototyping and presentation of finished work—  Adobe said in a statement.

Adobe Touch Apps are designed to be shared and viewed across devices or transferred to Adobe's Creative Suite PC software for additional alteration. It will also be stylus-friendly for tablet users that will not be using a finger-touch screen device.

Adobe Touch Apps will be available for the iPad in early 2012, but it will be available for Android tablets in November, 2011. The apps will be available at an introductory price of $9.99 each.

The new apps are part of the company's new initiative, Adobe Creative Cloud. The Creative Cloud will be a hub for access to desktop and tablet applications, finding essential creative services and sharing work with others.

In order to help implement these apps, Adobe also announced that it is acquiring two firms, Nitobi Software and Typekit, for an undisclosed amount.

Nitobi Software offers software that speeds up the development of mobile apps and Typekit is a cloud-based library of type fonts used by artists.

In addition, Adobe has also introduce 'Digital Publishing Suite, Single Edition', an iPad publishing platform for freelancers and small businesses.

Digital Publishing Suite, Single Edition, would allow users to publish single-issue content such as brochures, highly-visual books, annual reports or personal design portfolios through an application for the iPad.

The company said that pricing for the entire Creative Cloud package would be announced in November, although the Single Edition Digital Publishing Suite will cost $395 and individual touch apps are $9.99 each.

Meanwhile, Adobe said it has extended its partnership with WoodWing Software.

WoodWing will integrate and offer Adobe Digital Publishing Suite into the WoodWing Enterprise Publishing System and will offer the Enterprise and Professional Editions of the suite as a reseller, the statement said.