Versus

Adobe Flash

• A software platform on which animation, video files, and interactive web content is produced and presented

• Until recently, many popular sites relied solely on Flash for their media content

• About 75% of the videos available online are presented with Flash

Flash Video Others

Adobe Flash

Apple’s Developer Restrictions

• App programmers for iPhone OS use Software Development Kits provided by Apple.

• These SDK’s provide developers with a number of Application Programming Interfaces, or API’s

• Adobe Flash is not an Apple-approved API

Apple’s Reasons for Restriction

• Adobe Flash is a closed platform

• HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript are open

• YouTube already has an iPod/iPhone/iPad interface

• Most Flash videos are available in other, more modern formats

Problems with Flash

• The number one reason Macs crash

• Needs to work with every platform

• This would limit innovations in mobile device technology

• Not designed for touch control

• Runs slowly on mobile devices

Consumer Impact

• iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad can not display Flash content

• This includes most pages which are heavy in visual and interactive content

• Most flash based sites are being re-coded to work with modern interfaces

• Some consumers were mislead by the advertised full web browsing features included with Apple portable devices

Alternatives to Flash• HTML5 Video Tags

Flash HTML5

Other Software Competition

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Results of the Conflict

• iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad are free to release new innovations and upgrades to their mobile devices

• Flash alternatives are beginning to replace Flash in many website designs

• Adobe is becoming more aggressive with their Mac software production

Sources

• “Thoughts on Flash” Steve Jobs

• “Apple v Adobe: this time it's executable” Charles Arthur

• “Apple Vs Adobe: Steve Jobs Responds” Pete Cashmore

• “Giant Face Off: Apple vs. Adobe. Good Or Bad?” Kate MacKenzie

• “Adobe Announces Flash Support for iPhone (But Only for Apps)” Ben Parr

• Apple iPhone product page

• iPhone OS 4 introduction presentation