The Hold-up for Flash on the iPhone
Posted on: February 1, 2009Author: Cali Lewis
13 comments so far (is that a lot?)
Flash is the most popular format for viewing video on the Web. The iPhone has the best browser that can be found on a phone. The iPhone runs OSX. Apple and Adobe traditionally have had a good collaborative relationship, so why is it that we don’t have Flash or Flash Lite on iPhones? It turns out that it’s because it’s hard to do right.
Bloomberg TV interviewed Adobe’s CEO Shantanu Narayen and got the scoop. Narayen said, “It’s a hard technical challenge, and that’s part of the reason Apple and Adobe are collaborating.” Contrary to speculation, Adobe isn’t waiting on App Store approval. Instead, they’re working closely with Apple to develop a third version of Flash that is both feature rich and light enough to not choke the iPhone’s processor.
February 1st, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Hi Cali,
In a previous job, I managed a team that wrote a Flash Player from the ground up for embedded internet-on-a-TV devices.
Yes, it was hard, but it wasn’t insurmountable.
Adobe Flash Player already runs on a large number of platforms – not just Intel.
I think the problems are purely commercial/political. If Apple allows Flash onto the iPhone, the App Store is pretty much doomed.
Keep up the good work,
James
London, UK
February 1st, 2009 at 3:55 pm
While I am not really into conspiracy stuff too much, I am thinking the technical challenge isn’t just Flash for “video” which apple would probably value as a good thing to enhance their offering, it is more about creating a flash that can restrict the influx of flash based game / application type of stuff that would perhaps take a big bite out of apples control and profit on apps on their platform. There are IMHO very few applications for the iphone that couldn’t be done just as well with flash and apple wouldn’t be able to tap that market as they are now if the flash runtime is identical functionally to it big browser counter part. So I am betting in all of their technical stirring they are also trying to shackle it up as well, if it ever get there.
Richard
February 1st, 2009 at 3:59 pm
That’s what I assumed from the beginning. I’m just surprised it’s taking this long for them to develop a solution.
February 1st, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Hmmm. I hope this is true, but I have some doubts. Technical challenge? Flash has been demonstrated to run on an iPhone. If it’s not the hardware what is it? Apple could be wary to allow ‘another OS’ into their device. This is silly though. Apple should just buy Adobe (one-tenth the market cap) and move beyond this. People need Flash on the iPhone. I can’t believe more isn’t made of this.
February 1st, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Right. That’s why it works perfectly on jail-broken phones. Not buying it!
February 1st, 2009 at 4:22 pm
What this means is that many handsets are in trouble, especially RIMM. If Apple I Phone should end up having its own version of Flash, it could make or break a choice.
February 1st, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Hope they do work it out Apple know people been asking for it since Iphone/touch came out. So please get it out soon
February 1st, 2009 at 6:07 pm
Now, if only the iPhone could be used on Verizon or Sprint instead of AT&T.
I never miss an episode of Geekbrief. You are super!
Len
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* There is no place like 127.0.0.1
February 2nd, 2009 at 2:39 am
An Apple London store geek thought it was because Flash uses too many resources – maybe just internal messaging….
February 2nd, 2009 at 5:44 am
The Hold-up for Flash on the iPhone – http://tinyurl.com/ckpl5h (via @CaliLewis) (via @denisdubois)
February 2nd, 2009 at 7:24 am
The flash on the iPhone hold up! Maybe coming soon! http://tinyurl.com/ckpl5h
February 2nd, 2009 at 6:34 pm
The Hold-up for Flash on the iPhone – http://tinyurl.com/ckpl5h (via @CaliLewis) So sad, but some progress.
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:28 am
Why Adobe Flash isn’t ready for the iPhone
http://tinyurl.com/ckpl5h