No Flash tools for the iPhone/iPad...EVER

It has always been the major drawback of Apple's sleek products, the inability to use Flash technology. Today, that frustration was compounded as Adobe announced it was to stop making software tools that allow Apple's iPhone and iPad to use its popular Flash technology.

Adobe had previously stated that it would try to get Flash applications working on Apple products, but now it seems they have officially given up, placing them firmly in Google and Android's camp.

Since the iPhone was released, users have been bemoaning the lack of Flash that is used on a third of sites and powers animations, media players and other multimedia elements. It was hoped Adobe and Apple would resolve certain differences to enable the application to be used on the iPad, but to no avail.

Instead Apple stands by their public statements of saying their products won't support Flash.

Abode surrenders the war?

Despite plans by Abode to counter Apple's criticism, by releasing software, Creative Suite 5 in April, that contained translation tools that automatically turn Flash code into programs that run on the iPhone, Apple has stood firm of their T&Cs.

The contract for the terms and conditions of the license software developers was updated just before the release of Creative Suite 5 which placed strict restrictions on what developers can use to create these applications. In short, Apple banned code translators such as Creative Suite 5.

This of course riled Adobe and drew criticism from developers all over the world. Although Adobe was initially defiant, saying it would continue to deliver the translation tools, it would appear that they have given up, cancelling future translation tools post-Creative Suite 5.

On his blog, Mike Chambers, Adobe's principal product manager for developer relations said, "We will still be shipping the ability to target the iPhone and iPad in Flash CS5. However, we are not currently planning any additional investments in that feature."

On the subject of Apple's revision of its terms and conditions, Chambers wrote, "...as developers for the iPhone have learned, if you want to develop for the iPhone you have to be prepared for Apple to reject or restrict your development at any time."

Apple's response? That Flash is 'closed and proprietary' and that they prefer to support more "open standards" that replicate everything Flash can do.

Expect Adobe to, in response, throw everything they have behind Android-based smart phones. Take that Apple.

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