Yesterday in an open letter posted on Apple’s website, “Thoughts on Flash,” Steve Jobs discussed his feelings about Flash and Apple’s relationship with Adobe in hopes of explaining why they do not allow Flash on iPhones, iPods and iPads.
This garnered a lot interest around the office and sparked some great conversation. A few of our team members weighed in with their thoughts on Jobs’ comments (with a few related random references thrown in).
Our Lead Developer, Andy Jacobs, found the article to be filled with many half-truths including the idea that Flash is actually a closed system.
“Adobe’s platform is actually pretty “open”. The dev-side of Flash can be built in any number of ways using their free SDK.”
In Andy’s opinion the idea that “Flash won’t make the transition to mobile” is incorrect and it should be working on the next generation phones by summer.
“Adobe’s already adapted most of their new player VM to use modern hardware, why not mobile hardware?
10.1 has been running on Android in demos for a while now. Adobe has indicated that it is on schedule to ship this for Android this summer, regardless of Steve Jobs’ personal predictions.
Apps will continue to do well on the Apple platform because content producers get a much better value prop when they can monitor their use and get paid. Unfortunately I think this is just a crutch until they can figure out how to generate revenue from the web again – on all screens, regardless of form-factor or input style.”
As a huge Mac fan, Interactive Designer Victoria Lo, weighed in with her own thoughts and why she believes Apple should reconsider a partnership with Adobe:
“I have to agree, even as a Mac-addict. While I love their devices, I would say that Flash is so ubiquitous on the web (at least for a few more years until HTML5 picks up more steam and support) that shutting out its support and functionality on mobile devices seems like a convenient way to keep a stronghold on their app market, thus limiting the type of apps and content users can obtain to what's available in their store.
Lots of things Andy already touched on that I agree with, and I think if Apple was smart they'd reconsider a partnership. Allowing users and devs to ultimately choose would only benefit everyone in the long run, but as long as they continue to perpetuate this no-Flash mentality, people will be suspicious of their true intentions.
At the same time, Apple has fostered a culture of lazy-faux-tech savvy people. Instead of being engaged with our technology, we become pure consumers. Give me this app, give me directions here. I don't know how to fix my phone, so I'll just send it off to a 'genius' because the physical housing is so enclosed I can't even see where the screws are to open this $%@ up. Whatever happened to opening up a computer tower and tinkering with the guts? Although there's good things to be said about making technology accessible and intuitive, there's also something to be said about encouraging blind consumption.”
Andy then retorted with:
“That’s why I’m intent on being a ‘renegade air conditioning specialist’ type like De Niro’s character in Brazil. Plus the cool costume and rappelling around a futuristic metropolis.”
“Brazil” photo courtesy of Universal Studios
Andy and Victoria definitely raise some interesting points and sparked some good conversation. What is your interpretation of Jobs’ comments and feelings on Apple’s direction? We would love to hear your “thoughts on Flash.”
