Does Adobe AIR need to be installed on an Android 2.2 Phone to run A Flex Mobile App?

Adobe AIR is pretty heavy. So is it necessary to be installed o开发者_Go百科n my phone? Are there any alternatives to it..something lightweight.

Start out by reading this pdf, it will give you all the information you need. http://help.adobe.com/en_US/flex/mobileapps/developing_mobile_apps_flex.pdf

Short answer:

If a user who doesn't have Adobe AIR on his or her Android phone tries to install Adobe AIR application he or she will be presented a dialog asking the user to install AIR and would be taken to Android Market Place from where the user can install AIR.

Another claim in this matter:

Right now, there is no dependency model for Android, thus users must fulfill the dependencies of an application manually.

Taken from this thread: http://www.quora.com/Do-Android-end-users-need-to-install-Adobe-AIR-manually-to-use-AIR-apps-on-the-platform

Yes, if you want to use Flex or Flash, you need Air.

Alternatives?

Well, you can use another cross-platform tool, like Phonegap.

But if you want small, lean apps, with maximum device compatibility, nothing compares with using Java and the stock Android SDK.

Edit: P.S. "Heavy" is the word: requires ARMv7-A, FPU, Android 2.2 Many phones still being sold (as of 6/2011), such as LG Optimus V, do not meet these requirements. http://www.adobe.com/products/air/systemreqs/

You may find these links useful http://www.adobe.com/devnet/devices/android.html

See also Plastic Sturgeon's comment here: Choosing flash/openGL/other animation for an android app?