Far more than a how-to book on Flash development, Flash Enabled takes the reader by the hand into previously uncharted areas of development. Samples, tutorials, and design rules, tips, and theories spanning more than a dozen chapters explain how to create content for PlayStation2, television, Pocket PC handhelds, and, of course, the Web.

The first two sections constitute an introduction to developing Flash content for devices. Discussions on interface design, typography, animation, and game construction are interlaced with sidebars, tips, screen shots, and code examples. Part three details the specifics of creating applications for devices using Flash, and subsequent sections demonstrate how to create content for television and game consoles like PlayStation2.

Contemporary developers face a big challenge when creating a Flash movie; making one that plays on every Web browser with every version of the Flash plug-in on every version of both Windows and Mac operating systems is a feat unto itself. Introducing more platforms with their own limitations is enough to send a Flash developer screaming into the woods. However, creating Flash content that can be viewed on more than just a desktop computer opens doors to growth and larger audiences. The authors of Flash Enabled have already started creating for a variety of platforms, and we can benefit from their experience rather than playing a perpetual game of catch-up. --Mike Caputo