Will Apple really be able to block Flash-based iPad, iPhone Apps?
The new Adobe software comes with a feature that helps developers write a program once and make it run on multiple devices. Among other things, Adobe says, the technology allows developers to use Flash to write programs or update existing ones so they work on the iPhone and iPod Touch—products they couldn't reach before with Flash-based offerings because Apple doesn't support Flash.
But the plan ran into a roadblock last week: Apple changed rules governing software development so that any program has to be written to run directly on the iPhone and iPad operating system, and not for some intermediary layer of software such as Adobe has developed.
What do you think of Apple's actions?
Answers (14)
I think its ridiculous honestly. Its like hiring contractors to fix your roof, but you dictate what tools they are allowed to use. I think Apple forgets without developers theres no apps. I just hope it doesn't affect products like Unity and Torque. I know many other projects have been shut down due to this already.
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I think they are doing their best to protect their user base from the evils of third-party developers. Not to say that third party developers themselves are evil (like Adobe). However, if they allow Adobe's software to be used as a programming interface that anyone can use and that interface has flaws, then Apple is opening up their entire user base to those flaws.
So, imagine for a moment that you downloaded some app onto your device. Some evil hacker discovered a flaw in the software that allowed them to download your address book, or your photo library, or wipe your phone. You'd be pretty steamed at Apple for "allowing that to happen" even if it wasn't their software, but Adobe's.
I hope that makes sense. Personally, I'm very glad to hear that Apple has made a strong stand on the issue of protecting their users. I wish more companies would understand how important an issue this is for users of all platforms.
In my opinion, in short-term Apple would be able to block Flash-based applications but in long-term no. I agree that not allowing Flash is a big downer for developers but if Apple can convert initial euphoria of Ipad into actual sales then it can pretty much force developers to toe it's line or may even include it's own 'Flash' in next version of it's SDK.
I think this is a clear and concise view of Apple's actions on the daringfireball Website - In the long run it is Apple's platform and using the same analogy, if you ask builders into your house to fix the roof and they start fixing the floor, you would not be happy. Adobe only want to exploit Apple's mobile market share and piggy-backing on the hard effort and success of a truly revolutionary platform from Apple. The only people who lose out are Adobe and developers who want to cut corners by creating cross-platforms. I am happy that real developers with real skill have been given a break.
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You know, Steve Jobs has always been kind of a hostile genius. To me, separating Adobe + Apple is like separating your nose from your face. While I'm not surprised, it is heartbreakingly ridiculous.
Bernard G.
Programme, Project & Change expert
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Fairly typical for them. I applaud Apple's approach in providing alternative platform and innovative designs (even though the ipad is as far from innovative as its possible to be), but I deplore their restrictive behaviour on so many of their products.
Luckily the IT community is too clever and will find ways around this as they have to every attempt by apple to be dictatorial, which just makes it even more stupid that Apple continue to try!
Bradley G.
Entrepreneur, Digital Nomad, Writer, Speaker, Technology Advisor, Education Software Architect
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On a side note, the iPad/Flash fiasco is just another reason not to use Flash in website development.
Randall G.
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This is sort of a continuation of the question:
I don't get it...Why doesn't the iPad have Flash?
(see first link)
My answer then:
I would say [Apple does not support Flash for the iPad] probably for the same reason the iPhone was released without Flash support, and it may be a licensing issue.
Now that people are hacking the iPhone to enable Flash, expect Apple to make it official (if they haven't already - I don't have an iPhone).
(see 2nd link for Flash hacks)
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They don't really need to be able to block all Flash-based apps, simply disallowing them in the TOS is enough to achieve their aim of dissuading developers from using Adobe's platform...
The sooner HTML5 is fully endorsed by W3C the better off our lives will be as Web Developers. I've seen some amazing stuff in the pipe with only good things to come. Flash as a Dev tool can die any time now, thanks.
Giedrius M.
Online Security / Online Development and Marketing
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There are good enough reasons to block cross-compilers like Adobe's ones. They might slow down development of main coding platform and help creating apps that does not work that well. Sure, it was a slap on Adobes face.
Adobe needs to focus on other things, they core strengths for a while. Flash is less important now, and they will have to accept it or improve Flash beyond capabilities offered by other platforms.
The single way to overcome Apples ban for Adobe is to create Flash to html5 compiler that would not require any plugins or proprietary adobe code.
Wallace J.
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I don't believe the new Flash outputs Objective-C. Torque might however! ;) Walls.
The new 4.0 APIs access things like speech synthesis that Flash cannot access.
I smell: Class Action Lawsuit. Sherman Anti-Trust.
Apple cannot do this for very long without drawing a lot of unwanted attention from pissed off developers, then lawsuits, then the Government steps in.
It's going to be a big "train wreck," for Apple here soon.
Telling developers you have to use their set of tools, instead of Flash's Packager to develop applications just because Steve does not want them to use FLASH to port the SAME iPhone or iPad app to a competing Smart Phone like BlackBerry is a smoking gun example of Sherman Anti Trust. Restraint of Fair Trade. This is America. Not China. I don't want to be told or forced to develop "only" for Apple iPhone.
We develop real estate MLS systems and we have an MLS server spinning up for Mexico, one for the U.K. and one for Dubai.
Using Flash to develop our apps is what we do. We use Flash Packager to then port these same MLS Search APPs to other smart phones like Sony, Nokia, Fujitsu and Samsung -- all powered by Symbian.
This just stinks to high heaven of "greed, arrogance and hubris" on Steve Jobs' part. I'd slap him in the head right now and scream, "What the HELL are you thinking?"
I spoke to 12 developers this week and let me tell you -- they're pissed off just as we are.
Steve's name is about to become "mud," and when the lawsuits start to hit -- this will then panic investors and the Apple Stock starts to take a nose dive. One stupid act of hubris creates the Apple "train wreck." Everybody loses except the attorneys. The attorneys on both sides of these issues get paid whether Apple wins or loses.
Nobody wins by playing the "arrogance and proprietary and up yours" kind of attitude that Steve Jobs just exhibited.
I'm Bart Wilson -- I'm an Apple Developer and I'm pissed off.
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Isn't this just down to Apple trying to quality control the customer experience?
Most true consumer platforms are locked down. For example games consoles or for that matter the vast majority of mobile phones. Every major games console tightly controls and approves all the app's that run on those machines. No one makes a fuss about that. Apple generally make computers and computers have historically been open standards based platforms. Isn't apple just betting that the iPad and iPhone are to be true consumer devices and therefore need to be regulated in terms of customer experience.
Off course there are other business issues driving Apple along this route but I think the main one is the quality control and customer experience issue.
