Adobe introduced its new Open Screen Project on Thursday in a move to help content creators offer a consistent Internet experience across different devices. As part of its unifying plan, Adobe also removed restrictions of the use of the SWF and FLV/F4V specifications.

Adobe is also publishing the device porting layer APIs for Adobe Flash Player, the Adobe Flash Cast protocol, the AMF protocol, and removing licensing fees so that the next major releases of Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR for devices will be free.

Several big name players have already signed on to support the Open Screen Project including supported by a group of industry leaders, including ARM, Chunghwa Telecom, Cisco, Intel, LG Electronics Inc., Marvell, Motorola, Nokia, NTT DoCoMo, Qualcomm, Samsung Electronics Co., Sony Ericsson, Toshiba and Verizon Wireless. Several content providers including BBC, MTV Networks, and NBC Universal have thrown their support behind the project, too.

Adobe CEO Shantany Narayen commented "Adobe is spearheading the Open Screen Project with support from industry leaders who share a common vision to provide rich, interactive experiences across computers, devices and consumer electronics."

Open Screen Project is designed to make it easier for content creators and distributors to offer a higher level of consistency across Internet enabled devices that support Flash -- which for now does not include Apple's iPhone or iPod touch.

The project isn't limited to handheld devices, either. Adobe is hoping the project will help bring the same level of consistency to home media devices, too.

The driving force behind wide acceptance of the Open Screen Project will likely be Adobe's move to make its Flash technologies easier and more affordable to work with. "A consistent, more open platform for developers will drive rapid innovation, vastly improving the user experience," Mr. Narayen said.