Flash for iPhone being considered by Apple

Wed, 11/19/2008 - 8:21am — Seth Weintraub

There's been a lot of noise around the Web on Flash coming to the iPhone. While some folks are in the "never going to happen" camp, there is some precedent for belief that it will someday be in the iPhone platform. For instance, take this patent application from Apple (image to the right) that includes both Flash and Windows Media players.

To say that Apple is going to forgo Flash altogether is probably untrue. To say that they are taking a wait (and wait, aaaand wait) and see approach is probably closer to accurate. I'm sure Apple would like to have more control over the Flash player as it currently goes against the App Store's provisions and would need to be in the more natively "blessed" area of the iPhone development world. Perhaps a specially "disabled version" of Flash that allows what Apple deems worthy (less CPU, less ad spam, more AIR apps) could satisfy both parties.

Flash may never happen on the iPhone, it is true. But it isn't like Apple isn't hedging its bets. Much like having an Intel version of OSX going for all of those PowerPC years, there is probably a Flash version of the iPhone running around Cupertino right now. Apple may one day let it out of prototype and into the real world. Until then, there is always VNC or Citrix.

( Filed Under:

iPhone - iPod

)

Comments

At the moment, the best idea

Wed, 11/19/2008 - 9:14am — Benjamin Dobson

At the moment, the best idea I can come up with for Flash on the iPhone is tap-to-start-playing. It would be integrated into MobileSafari – probably not available as a standalone player.
Someone on Amazon complained that the iPhone didn't offer the "entire internet" because it couldn't play Flash. I think Apple will, eventually, allow Flash in some shape or form.

Flash

Wed, 11/19/2008 - 9:45am — Paul G (not verified)

The only time this will happen is When Apple buys Adobe! Which could very easily happen. What would you do with 25 billion in the Bank??

Keep it. Apple won't be

Wed, 11/19/2008 - 9:56am — Benjamin Dobson

Keep it. Apple won't be splashing out on a major corporation in the current state of the economy. However I really hope they buy Adobe once the crisis starts to end, so we can finally get a decent installer and better UI. I know the people at Adobe know nothing about Fitts' Law, so maybe Apple could enlighten them.

Usability

Wed, 11/19/2008 - 10:07am — AWx (not verified)

ARGH, please tell me how we can have a decent port of Flash on iPhone when most of the Flash content on the web uses OnMouseOver or maximes itself on the screen.

quote: " Much like having an

Wed, 11/19/2008 - 10:19am — Luis Alejandro Masanti (not verified)

quote:
" Much like having an Intel version of OSX going for all of those PowerPC years, there is probably a Flash version of the iPhone running around Cupertino right now."

OS X is an Apple's full developed product, so having PowerPC and Intel version was an Apple's decision.

But developing a Flash runtime for iPhone, being Flash an Adobe developed product is something hard to beleive for me.

Apple developed Preview to replace DisplayPostScript/Acrobat to avoid paying licensee's fees to Adobe. In this case, Adobe is responsible for developing Flash.

hmmmm, that 'optical sensor'

Wed, 11/19/2008 - 4:31pm — 9to5Mac Noob (not verified)

hmmmm, that 'optical sensor' in the middle of the top of the device got me interested....is it just the ambient light sensor or could it be an iSight camera?

Flash for iPhone

Wed, 11/19/2008 - 4:57pm — 9to5Mac Noob (not verified)

Recently after buying my iPhone 3G and during the FedEx Golf Tournaments, I had an opportunity to keep tabs on the game on the road via Shot Tracker on PGATOUR.COM. NOT! Shot Tracker required flash.
I hope Apple finds it in their heart to satisfy my selfish needs!