Adobe Delivers Free Flash Player Upgrade with H.264

Adobe Systems on Dec. 4 announced the universal availability of its Adobe Flash Player 9 Update 3 software (previously code-named “Moviestar”), which includes H.264, the same standard deployed in Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD video players, along with enhanced AAC audio capabilities.

This week’s Adobe update, according to the San Jose, Calif.-based company, incorporates new features that will allow “hardware accelerated, multi-core enhanced, full-screen video playback for high-resolution viewing across major operating systems and browsers.”

Adobe said the combo of its Flash Player 9 and Adobe Flash Media Server 3 (also announced Dec. 4) will “enable the delivery of HD quality video to the broadest online audience.”

The free Adobe Flash Player 9 Update 3 is now available to broadband users at www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer.