Adobe's Big Splash Into App Store Gets Closer To Becoming Reality

Adobe Systems Inc. is getting closer to making significant inroads in the App Store. The company has released an update to its popular Photoshop CS5 application. With it, Photoshop now provides support for Adobe’s upcoming line of iPad apps. According to the change notes for Photoshop 12.0.4:

The 12.0.4 update enables specially designed apps on tablets, smartphones, and PCs to communicate with and control interaction with Photoshop CS5 (Located in the File menu: Remote Connections). Now you can be creative on other devices and instantly incorporate what you create into Photoshop. You must install the 12.0.4 update to activate a remote connection between Photoshop CS5 and any apps that Adobe or third-party developers create to interact with Photoshop. For example, Photoshop CS5 must be updated to 12.0.4 to interact with three new iPad apps that Adobe has designed to work with it – Adobe Nav, Adobe Color Lava, and Adobe Eazel. Available on the App Store.

The apps, which will hopefully be released soon, are as follows: Adobe Eazel

With Adobe Eazel, you can use your iPad and your fingertips to paint beautiful works of art. Paint across your entire iPad screen, and easily access the tools you need. Send your artwork directly to Photoshop CS5 from any location—all you need is a network connection between your iPad and computer. Or do all your painting in the app, and share via email.

Adobe Nav

With Adobe Nav and a network connection between your iPad and computer, you can customize the Photoshop CS5 toolbar on iPad to easily access the tools you use most. Browse, reorder, view, and zoom in on up to 200 open Photoshop documents on iPad. Tap a document on iPad to make it the active document in Photoshop CS5. Disconnect from the network and use iPad to easily share files in person with others.

Adobe Color Lava

With Adobe Color Lava, you can use your fingertips to mix colors on your iPad and create custom swatches and five-swatch themes. Instantly access them in Photoshop CS5—all you need is a network connection between your iPad and computer. Or use the app wherever inspiration strikes, and then bring your colors into Photoshop CS5 when you're connected. Share colors via email, too.

Check out this video:

In April, Adobe launched a new software development kit that will allow developers to create apps that interact with Photoshop. It allows users to move any part of Photoshop onto the iPad. While they can interact with your computer over Wi-Fi, these apps can also be made to work independently. We'll let you know when Adobe's own apps are available for download, which should be very soon. What do you think? Leave your comments below.

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