Finally, proper banner ads for Android: Flash demoed on a G1

At Adobe's MAX event this morning, none other than Andy Rubin himself helped to demo Flash running on a G1, proving that it's possible (in case years of Nokias with S60 browsers haven't already done a sufficient job of showing that) and that Apple's running out of excuses. It wasn't mentioned exactly when we'd see it pushed out in an over-the-air update (or available from the Market, possibly, we suppose), but at least Rubin confirmed that Adobe and Google are pooling their collective noggins to make it happen. Ads for life insurance just aren't the same without an animated dancing dude or flying pig, so we're delighted to hear that some balance is going to be restored to the world.

[JOSE @ Nov 17th 2008 3:40PM]

grrrrrrrrhhhhhh!!!
ugh
no flash on iphone

[KeatMP @ Nov 17th 2008 3:42PM]

Nice useless post.

[JOSE @ Nov 17th 2008 3:44PM]

useless only if you have no humor

[Inane_Asylum @ Nov 17th 2008 4:01PM]

Wow...it took a whole 8 minutes before an iPhone comment was posted!

Must be some sort of record.

[Testies, Testies, 1, 2... 3? @ Nov 17th 2008 4:03PM]

So when it comes to Flash, does this make the iPhone a "Bag of Hurt"?

[KAIKAI @ Nov 17th 2008 4:16PM]

@ testes

no all this proves is that even though its possible...it still a bag o hurt :D

[(01) @ Nov 17th 2008 5:07PM]

Yes...hilarious. You want to try a Weakest Link joke next? Go on, we'll wait....

[StalematE @ Nov 17th 2008 3:40PM]

this is great news for classmates.com

[Ryan @ Nov 17th 2008 3:52PM]

I really didn't know that those 2 got married and had 5 kids.....

[Testies, Testies, 1, 2... 3? @ Nov 17th 2008 6:12PM]

Uhm, you got it wrong, they had 5 kids THEN got married!

[moomanmitch @ Nov 17th 2008 3:43PM]

I'm really looking forward to some more Android handsets. The OS looks great and always seems to be getting better, but I'm just not feeling the G1. Way too thick for my tastes.

[Abuzar Baloach @ Nov 17th 2008 4:07PM]

I'll show you thick.

[bill cant fart @ Nov 17th 2008 4:11PM]

I bet you're too thick for Android's tastes.

[BlurMagic @ Nov 17th 2008 4:45PM]

Razr user fail.

[i.c. weiner @ Nov 17th 2008 6:05PM]

@abuzar

That's what she said.

[Tony @ Nov 17th 2008 6:25PM]

@ i.c. weiner

What!? She showed you _something_ thick?

I don't think you get how that joke works.

[rita hainsworth @ Nov 17th 2008 6:27PM]

I'm game...

[Abuzar Baloach @ Nov 17th 2008 6:41PM]

Uhh, when a girl shows a guy something thick... something isn't right there.

[mapin @ Nov 17th 2008 11:54PM]

that's what she said

god u guys are slow

[cwj @ Nov 18th 2008 1:07AM]

We're not bored with "G1 is ugly" yet?

[Dan Davis @ Nov 17th 2008 3:43PM]

If it's put on the Market, you can bet the comments will range from "FIRST SUCKAS" to anti-semitic/anti-cristian rants. Google really needs to have a link for reporting abuse.

[bob sakamano @ Nov 17th 2008 3:51PM]

wow

engadget is going the way of an idiocracy

they do? see the "!" next to the + and - on all comments

[horizontaleight @ Nov 17th 2008 3:54PM]

I believe he may be talking about the Android Market.

[Dan Davis @ Nov 17th 2008 5:03PM]

Wow, Bob...

Idiocracy? I think you're the one drinking the Brawndo...

[BJ is Gooder @ Nov 17th 2008 7:39PM]

If you don't smoke Tarryltons... **** You!

[Homeboy @ Nov 17th 2008 3:44PM]

Cool, but the design department certainly needs some enthusiasm injected if this phone is to become a hot item. I got a hand-on last week and it looks like a domestic phone from the late 90s. Sure I value functionality very high, but not to the level that I'm willing to pay top money for an uninspiring device. On the other hand this is version 1 so hopefully they'll get thing right with a refresh early next year.

[Fernando @ Nov 17th 2008 3:45PM]

uninspiring? really?

[cwj @ Nov 18th 2008 1:39AM]

@ Homeboy:

This post is about Android, not HTC, the G1, or T-Mobile.

Please see the G1 review for place to put your comment on how the device looks.

[Shiz @ Nov 17th 2008 3:43PM]

Yes. Yes. YESSSSS. Can't wait.

[Lowest Ranked @ Nov 17th 2008 3:47PM]

But does it copy and paste?

[centinall @ Nov 17th 2008 3:53PM]

Yes, and it has done as long as I've owned mine.

[benmully @ Nov 17th 2008 3:47PM]

Its about time Apple pulled its finger out too!!

[TitaniumMan @ Nov 17th 2008 3:49PM]

I thought Google was against non-openess and walled gardens on the Internet.
Is Microsoft Silverlight next?

Although if Google supports Flash player, i would think Apple won't be far behind, with news of an ARM optimized Flash player under development.

[KarlW @ Nov 17th 2008 9:17PM]

This was my first thought, too. Google's been very much against proprietary web extensions as long as they've existed.

That said, it's an open platform. Google doesn't want to start dictating which software is allowed and which isn't. I imagine they will appease their theological hatred of flash by forcing the Android implementation to be open-source.

[Todd @ Nov 17th 2008 3:49PM]

"...It wasn't mentioned exactly when we'd see it pushed out in an over-the-air update..."

I am guessing March next year. It'll be super weird if Apple still refuses to add Flash after Android has it.

[TitaniumMan @ Nov 17th 2008 3:55PM]

I seriously doubt they won't release it now.
There are so much more at stake here than just Apple's animosity with Adobe. They took it as far as they could.
The fact that iphone os 2.2 includes google street view shows that Apple takes Google very seriously as a mobile os competitor.

[Eddie @ Nov 17th 2008 3:58PM]

I really need to get a g1. I am sick of being locked out of features on Verizon...although the network is so nice t.t

[rubyxjcm @ Nov 17th 2008 4:00PM]

So...if we're gonna get fun-filled banner ads can we get Adblock as well?

[ismyrnow @ Nov 17th 2008 4:05PM]

my thoughts exactly. its like, "cool, flash ads!" and then "cool, no more ads!".

[BlurMagic @ Nov 17th 2008 4:30PM]

There is a pop-up blocker pre-installed with the browser of the Android OS.

[Phoenix @ Nov 17th 2008 5:14PM]

Not pop-ups. banners.

[dagamer34 @ Nov 17th 2008 4:09PM]

Seriously, Mobile Safari crashes enough as is, we don't need to add Flash to Apple's "bag of hurt".

[john @ Nov 18th 2008 5:23AM]

OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHH SNAP!!!!!!!!

[Jeff Lewis @ Nov 17th 2008 4:11PM]

Waiting for the inevitable "Battery life" comments from the Apple fans. :)

[patsy @ Nov 17th 2008 4:13PM]

Let's just hope it's properly integrated into the browser and not some half-assed implementation that kicks you out to a stand-alone Flash player when you click a Flash link.

[iofthestorm @ Nov 17th 2008 7:49PM]

I think with a smallish screen size that would actually be better, like if you wanted to play a game or something or watch a youtube video. Those are really the only useful uses of Flash in my opinion anyway.

[Tohe @ Nov 18th 2008 5:32AM]

Looks like you have never heard of Flex or Air, perhaps not even RIAs.

Besides the PC model works for everyone, you install the flash player if you want it and yield from it if you do not. I can't understand why anyone would favor a crippled device (aka iPhone).

[IG @ Nov 17th 2008 4:15PM]

Awesome! awesome! super awesome!

I am a happy G1 owner, who is now even happier.

[KAIKAI @ Nov 17th 2008 4:23PM]

maybe YOUR the virus of the internet
please die :)

[KAIKAI @ Nov 17th 2008 4:25PM]

DAMN YOU COMMENTING SYSTEM!!!! *(>