Adobe today announced the next major release of Adobe Connect, Adobe Connect 9, designed to enhance web conferencing. This new version of Adobe Connect brings with it features that will help users organize better webinars and collaborate/train even more effectively using mobile devices.

Adobe Connect 9 also leverages technologies from other parts of the company to help provide end to end solutions that spans business process that happens before the meeting and after the meeting.

Adobe worked with the Adobe CQ team to build in capabilities to enable rich, branded event landing pages or entire micro-sites that can be used for event promotion and registration.

Adobe SiteCatalyst, the company's web analytics platform, is also available within Connect 9 to help Adobe's customers measure the success of their webinars and marketing or outreach campaigns.

Adobe is also providing real-time feedback inside of a webinar or virtual classroom with a new pod called the Engagement Dashboard. This dashboard helps presenters and hosts track message effectiveness.

In addition to Adobe Connect 9, Adobe also announced the next version of Adobe Connect Mobile. Version 2 brings with it even more support for meeting hosts to manage the meeting, share documents, and annotate on whiteboards or content. It also increases support for virtual classrooms - incorporating breakout rooms, raise-hand functionality, and many sharing options. There is no longer the need for a traditional PC; Adobe Connect Mobile 2.0 enables device to device collaboration.

Adobe Connect 9 is expected to be available worldwide on an on-premise basis and begin rollout on a hosted basis in calendar Q3 2012.

Adobe Connect Mobile 2.0 for Apple iOS, Android and BlackBerry PlayBook is also expected to be available in calendar Q3 2012.