Create a new custom template for your work by taking one of the existing mobile and device templates and adding some commonly used ActionScript nnd any reusable assets such as branding, buttons and movie clips.

There's a wide variety of content that you can create with Flash for mobile phones. Anything from games and cartoons to productivitiy applications and guides.

Now’s your chance to show the rest of the world what you can create using Flash Lite. Every qualifying entry will have a chance to win great prizes. Winners will be showcased on macromedia.com, and may have an opportunity to be introduced to key operators for distribution of your content or application.

So what are you waiting for? Submit your content for the Flash Lite 1.1 Content Contest! There are eight categories to create content for with each category winner receiving an iPod and the grand prize winner receiving a 42” flat-panel TV.

More information about the contest and rules can be found here.

If you’re planning on submitting content for the contest and need a copy of the Flash Lite 1.1 player for development purposes, send an email to Macromedia with the handset model and IMEI number (press *#06# on your handset).

Remember the contest ends February 1. 2005 so make sure you enter. There’s no limit to the number of submissions and best of all it’s free and a great opportunity to get your content showcased.

If you're showing Flash Lite content on your series 60 handset and you want to keep the backlight on, download and install the torch application.

Once activated torch will keep your backlight on so you can demo content and not have to worry about the backlight turning off in the middle of a presentation or when you're just showing your friends.

To use it, first launch the torch app, then hold down the menu key and select the telephone app. Now torch is running in the background and you can then launch your Flash Lite 1.1 player and open up SWF files. When you want to close the torch app, press and hold the menu key, select the torch app and then select the exit button.

If you haven’t already requested a copy of the Flash Lite 1.1 player for your mobile phone, you only have until 12am Wednesday, December 15 (PST).

Due to overwhelming demand the Flash Lite 1.1 player development testing program will not be available again until late-January, when a new process will be implemented to manage the large number of developer requests. We will be adding new supported devices to the list as well.

To request your copy of the Flash Lite 1.1 player, send the IMEI number of your handset and handset model to mobiledeveloper@macromedia.com. To get the IMEI number you can press *#06# on your handset.

Reminder that the Flash Lite Content Contest is still ongoing!

Submit your content for any one of the eight categories and have a chance of winning an iPod (1 for each contest winner) and the grand prize of a 42” flat screen TV. The contest ends January 31. 2005 so make sure you enter. There’s no limit to the number of entries submit and best of all it’s free. More information here: http://www.macromedia.com/mobile/special/contest/

For those of you who have already submitted a request for the Flash Lite 1.1 player but have not yet received it, you will be receiving it this week.

Use short samples of music for background music or to use as sound effects in your content.

You don't always have to purchase techniical books, your local library should have several titles available for you to check out. Take a look at your local library to see their collection of technical books and you might also want to ask them if they can transfer books from another branch.

If you travel often then consider getting a small mouse instead of the typical desktop mouse.

After a 10 hour flight, 30 minute train ride and a 10 minute taxi, I've finally checked into my hotel here in London. This is my first time here and London and although I'll only be here for 2 days, I'm looking forward to making the most of it. It's certainly a lively city and there's a lot of people out-and-about catching up on their Christmas shopping and such.

One thing I've noticed after walking around is that there are a lot of mobile phone shops, just about two on every street corner. I've seen some very cool phones, including some showing streaming video using Vodafone's live! 3G network.

So I'm here on business, assisting with some mobile device training and if you're interested in learning about possible future training classes you can contact Macromedia and I'll provide you with more information.

While I'm here I won't be updating my site with any content, expect that to happen at the end of the week once I'm back in San Francisco.

Create your own templates by modifying one of the existing mobile device templates. You can add some ActionScript, named layers and premade buttons to simplify the content creation process.

Today is my first day as a Macromedia employee and they've already have me working on several cool things. Everyone is nice and I'm still getting accustomed to things here but will be up to speed this week.

Since I will now be busy throughout each day at Macromedia, I won't be updating my site and replying to emails as frequently as I have been. Expect site updates and replies in the evenings fron now on.

It's a good idea to use the Generate Size Report option for your Flash Lite 1.1 SWF files when you're testing them in the authoring environment.