Unfortunately it's a compile time error not a runtime error. If it was runtime then yes you could certainly check the typical isSupported() method most ANEs have. Although you need to compile to get to that point and the compiler is throwing the error.

Flash CS5.5 didn't have a problem because you needed to package with ADT command line to include a native extension as it had no idea what it was so it makes sense you could test using it. Flash Builder users (which has had ANE support) have had to deal with keeping ANEs from being packaged to avoid the same compiler errors you're getting. We're very used to the PITA that it is

All an ANE developer needs to do is provide an implementation for a particular platform, even if it doesn't work, and you won't get errors. During creating the static library for the ANE the iOS developer could specify support for it in the build. Unfortunately the ANE you're using doesn't have that. It's telling Flash it only works on a device.

If you know C and Obj-C/Cocoa it's not too hard. Your solution is just fine.

Most ANEs just handle their device implementations that I've seen around so far. I use Flash Builder so I'm extremely used to having to disable the ANE to compile. CS5.5 is completely "ignorant" of the ANE. It can load the SWC and therefore allow you to test, but that's not really functioning properly. CS6 knows how to utilize the ANE and it's giving you a valid error.

While it feels a step back, it's a very familiar thing to us Flash Builder users. You're just catching up . Now that Flash CS6, Flash Builder and ANEs are maturing you can expect the future ANEs to provide desktop integration with Windows and OSX (maybe even Linux). If you pay for an ANE and it doesn't come with an implementation for your OS, I'd complain. There's a big difference in what to expect from an ANE someone gives away and one people charge for. If your android dialog ANE is free, well, you got what you paid for

That's exactly what Flash Builder does. It has a checkbox that tells FB to package the ANE or to ignore it. I'm suprised CS6 doesn't have it and expect it to be patched in.

Exclude the ANE, what's the big deal? The SWC should keep you from compiling against an error unless CS6 isn't like CS5.5. CS5.5 is happy as long as the methods you use exist. It doesn't integrate with the ANE so it can't verify if those methods will work. Does CS6, or can you simply remove the ANE and test?

I hope the error can be suppressed just like you. Unfortunately Adobe has provided a way to do it and it's creating the ANE properly to support all architectures, even if you "fake it" on architectures you don't support.

Here's to hoping for the future for easy design testing..