Adobe says Flash is coming to the iPhone

The word is out, kids. Adobe has apparently gone against old Jobsy's wishes, and it's planning a Flash player made all special for the iPhone (ala Windows Mobile) despite Apple's concerns that the technology -- in its current incarnation, anyway -- isn't cut out for mobile duty. During a conference call today, Chief Executive Shantanu Narayen said, "We believe Flash is synonymous with the Internet experience, and we are committed to bringing Flash to the iPhone," adding, "We have evaluated (the software developer tools) and we think we can develop an iPhone Flash player ourselves." We wouldn't be surprised if Adobe were to be given a pass on all those pesky SDK rules that would likely prevent a proper browser-based Flash component to be coded for the device, though those Apple dudes can be real sticklers for rules.

[Philster Posted Mar 19th 2008 1:10AM]

Can Flash do a COPY & PASTE ??!!!!

[Wai Posted Mar 19th 2008 1:20AM]

Yes. Now GTFO.

[Philster Posted Mar 19th 2008 1:30AM]

Such hostility, Wai. Relax. Everything is going to be okay.

[SSteven Posted Mar 19th 2008 9:07AM]

Wai does not relax. Wai owns you!

[kingblind Posted Mar 19th 2008 1:40AM]

Awesome.. Please be available in June!!

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 19th 2008 1:57AM]

Flash games!!!!!
Flash Por..........

!!!

[Dreamscape86 Posted Mar 19th 2008 2:12AM]

Apple dudes are real sticklers for rules... except when it comes to stealing other people's songs/artwork/ideas and using them to promote or improve their products...

[russdogg Posted Mar 19th 2008 2:26AM]

All these arguments aside, there really is only one reason why they didn't include the flash player with the iphone: Money. because you can put whatever you want in that flash box. Any kind of app, game, etc., that Apple wants you to pay for. Or, even if its free to the end user, how is Apple going to charge those premiums to companies for the right to put there app on the iphone when the company could just wrap it in flash and do it for free? Thats why Jobs paid so much to get all the youtube videos duplicated in .h264; still means more money for apple in the long run.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 19th 2008 3:34PM]

I'm not going to disagree that money is an issue.

But don't kid yourself, flash on the mac is a complete resource hog. Considering it doesn't run that great on a core 2 duo, how well do you think it would run on an iPhone, which is basically using the same os?

[russdogg Posted Mar 20th 2008 1:45AM]

Very true, but Adobe knows it, which is why they run Flash lite on mobile phones. Flash lite 3 runs .flv videos really well (at least what we've made and tested on a Nokia n95) and can do some pretty bad a** stuff.

[Tired Posted Mar 19th 2008 3:01AM]

Apple's incredible relationship with the press cuts both ways. If Adobe and Sun can write functional stuff putting features on the iPhone that people want, and then Apple just says 'No', they will be crucified in the media. And rightly so.

The proof will be in the pudding. This approach puts the onus heavily on Adobe to write a Flash player that runs fantastically well on iPhone, to publicly put down Steve Jobs. If they can't prove him wrong, completely and publicly, this will never work.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 19th 2008 9:09AM]

How about adobe using their noodle and putting some effort into getting flash to work on 64 bit systems (the future of the home computer market, and hence their business!)rather than waste their time on the pile of poo that is the iphone

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 19th 2008 11:14AM]

Flash does work on 64-bit systems. It works on my Mac Pro just fine.

[Ethan Posted Mar 19th 2008 4:52AM]

Now if they could just do Shockwave for intel macs.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 19th 2008 5:03AM]

ABOUT TIME

[Chris Aubeck Posted Mar 19th 2008 5:24AM]

I'd like to be able to see webcams on the 'Touch. I could keep an eye on my house while away.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 19th 2008 5:41AM]

Don't worry Eugenia, I think you have a charming face..

..You do realise that most of the people that frequent Engadget *are* 10 year olds, right?

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 19th 2008 5:59AM]

Possibly the silliest analysis I've read today. It seems quite obvious that what Adobe is referring to is creating a Flash application within the SDK specs. Jobs has ruled out a safari plug in. In other words, I would be very surprised if "Adobe was given a pass on the pesky SDK rules". It's nonsensical to think they will.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 19th 2008 6:40AM]

Adobe: Yeah, we'll right a brand new Flash Player just for the iPhone, but screw all you x64 users!

[distractedfocus Posted Mar 19th 2008 6:44AM]

Wow if they keep it up I will really like my locked down, sleek, nearly a year old iPhone. I always wanted to like it and I may get my chance!

[Quikboy Posted Mar 19th 2008 9:13AM]

I wonder why Adobe never did anything for WinMo.

[mistergoodman Posted Mar 19th 2008 9:29AM]

Michael, there is a version of Flash for Windows Mobile. I use it on my AT&T Tilt to access a number of video sites, including the full desktop version of youTube, and some rather... adult... sites. I suspect the version for the iPhone will be a lot nicer and more up to date though.

[Quikboy Posted Mar 19th 2008 10:03AM]

@Goodman : Thanks. I wasn't aware of that. My mistake.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 19th 2008 9:18AM]

About time. This is great news in my ears.

[mistergoodman Posted Mar 19th 2008 9:23AM]

Guys, Steve Jobs never ruled out Flash, or dissed it. He ruled out *Flash Lite*, Adobe's current mobile Flash player. He also ruled out the desktop plug-in as too bloated for the iPhone. He even said "there's this missing product in the middle." Hopefully this will be that missing product.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 19th 2008 10:02AM]

I think we should decide. The SDK is out there so let's have some real choice. Flash is useful for all those video feeds that now use Flash.

Really it's up to us who own an iPhone, not Jobs who never really uses any of the products he sells. That's why most Macs cannot play games, Jobs does not play games. As for the iPhone/iTouch t's a miracle he has not blocked games from the SDK.

This should be a non issue if Adobe is prepared to do all the hard work.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 19th 2008 10:10AM]

Great. Who also thinks that they'll make us pay for flash?

[mistergoodman Posted Mar 19th 2008 11:14AM]

Beau, I think all versions of the Flash player are free to the end user. (Although, frankly I'm sure most iPhone users would consider it well worth $5-$10.)

The old Windows Mobile Flash player I use on my AT&T Tilt doesn't seem to do much more than play video. I haven't tried FlashLite, which comes with other mobile browsers like Opera Mobile (which runs sluggish on the Tilt). Jobs complained that FlashLite "is not capable of being used with the web." I suspect Jobs is looking for something more integrated with the browser, and I'm sure Apple and Adobe will come together to make this happen.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 19th 2008 11:29AM]

I just had to close my browser window because one of the stupid flash animated ads on engadget brought my computer to its knees.

And I get to experience this on my iPhone too?? Gee.. Cant wait...

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 19th 2008 1:11PM]

Adblock Plus.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 19th 2008 1:25PM]

I'm not buying an iPhone till it supports Flash. There are tons of practical business applications for this. For example, with Flash 9 you can run fully immersive 360 degree virtual tours with error correction and everything. Real Estate agent meets someone at a party and says... "here, check out the place" and the potential client just drags their finger around to move around the panorama.

GO ADOBE! GO! GO! GO!

Jobs should be ashamed of himself and should have supported this from the damn get-go. sigh... I mean, look... if you don't want Flash on your iPhone.. then don't load it!

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 19th 2008 1:29PM]

I still wouldnt get the iphone. maybe the one with 3g that u guys say its coming. I think its fucken stupid that the Iphone dint come with 3g since it was an overhyped phone and the most anticipated. I wonder if the new Iphone will have the same body or an new 1. I still wait for WINDOWS MOBILE 7 since I love windows mobile but it looks like ill be getting the newer Iphone.

[gamer555 Posted Mar 19th 2008 2:29PM]

THANK YOU GOOOOOOOOOOOOODDDDDDDDDD! I WILL PAY TOO

[Wwhat Posted Mar 19th 2008 3:04PM]

And adobe also is going to close some security holes in flash(player)that allows people to gain access to both your computer as well as servers, come april..
Who knew adding socket support to flash would become tricky at some point?

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 19th 2008 7:23PM]

Uh, not quite what was said. Here's the accurate information:
http://madowney.com/blog/2008/03/19/flash-on-the-iphone/

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 19th 2008 8:30PM]

I think we are missing the most important detail here. I need to have flash in order to watch YouPorn, I hate the Apple is not letting x-rated Apps on the iphone, so much for a free country!

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 13th 2008 10:30PM]

I just want it to watch videos at hulu.com