FlashPlayer
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Adobe confirms Flash Player is dead for mobile devices
We heard the talk and now here's the confirmation: Flash Player for mobile devices is officially dead. Adobe is reaffirming its commitment to "aggressively contribute" to HTML5, a platform with broader support and capabilities than Flash was ever able to deliver. Adobe will of course also be pushing developers to work in its AIR platform for a more native experience, and the company will continue to work on Flash Player for desktop operating systems, but one can't help but see the platform as a whole standing on fairly shaky footing at this point.
Trojan variation disables Mac malware protection
Researchers from F-Secure warn that a variant on a trojan discovered in September, which masquerades as an Adobe Flash Player installer, now exists and is capable of disabling OS X's built-in malware protection. OSX/Flashback.C disables the auto-updater component of XProtect, which means the system's built-in anti-malware application no longer looks for updates to its malware definitions. This essentially holds the door open for future malware to invade the system unimpeded. F-Secure provides instructions for removing OSX/Flashback.C if your system has already been compromised. For the truly paranoid, you can also bypass the auto-update process and force your Mac to update its malware definitions manually. Since OS X malware authors seem to be employing fake Flash Player installers as a delivery vector, it's worth mentioning that you should only download Flash Player from trusted sources. Adobe's website is a good place to start. You could also remove the plug-in version of Flash Player altogether, essentially zeroing out your risk of being exposed to the OSX/Flashback trojan variants; the Google Chrome browser includes a bundled Flash Player if you need to view Flash content. [Hat tip to Ars Technica]
Google Music beta ready for iOS
Google Music beta lets you upload your music library to Google's servers and stream the content to web-connected devices like your computer or Android handset, but not iOS. Several months after launch, the service now supports iOS via a web app optimized for the iPhone, iPod touch and the iPad. The app isn't as pretty as the native application on Android or the web app for desktops, but it's functional. You can browse your music library via artist or album. Controls are intuitive and the player is responsive, especially when you consider each track is being streamed over the Internet. Music will play in the background while you browse your online music catalog and will even continue to play when you switch to another application. If you're a Google Music beta user, you can check out the iOS web app by pointing mobile Safari music.google.com. [Via Engadget]
Apple updates malware definitions to address fake Flash player trojan
Apple's updated an entry in the anti-malware files of OS X to lock down a trojan that pretends to be a Flash player installer, but actually hijacks users' search results. The trojan is known as "OSX.QHost.WB.A," and claims to install Flash, but instead redirects Google results to an IP in the Netherlands, which then loads unwanted ads and offsite content along with the fake search results. When the malware was officially discovered, none of the ad servers actually worked, so the malware threat at this time is more of an inconvenience than anything. Still, Apple apparently doesn't want to take chances -- it's updated the "XProtect.plist" file in OS X with the definition of the trojan. Since an update earlier this year, you don't even need to run Software Update to get this upgrade, as you likely get File Quarantine definitions upgraded daily already. But it's good to know that steps have been taken already to protect your Mac from this malware.
Adobe releases Flash 11 and AIR 3 betas
Adobe has released betas of both Flash 11 and Air 3 for Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux. The new features that caught my eye right away include full 64-bit support for Flash Player running in browsers (even in Linux!) and support for delivery of full HD video with 7.1 surround sound to AIR-powered TVs. I haven't tested these betas out; I use Click2Flash to block 99 percent of the Flash content I come across these days and force it to play in a more CPU- and battery-friendly format instead. For the curious among you, you can head to Adobe's site and download the new betas. Some of the key features for Flash Player 11 are printed below. Stage3D APIs -- Create highly interactive visuals to improve collaboration on 3-dimensional models. 64-bit support -- Support for 64-bit operating systems and browsers on Linux, Mac OS, and Windows. G.711 audio compression for telephony -- Integrate voice/telephony into business apps using G.711 codec. H.264/AVC SW Encoding -- Encode higher quality video locally using H.264 video. Socket Progress Events -- Build advanced file sharing apps like FTP clients that send large amounts of data. HD surround sound -- Deliver full HD videos with 7.1 channel surround sound directly to AIR powered TVs.
Adobe unleashes Flash Player 11 beta, now with 7.1 surround sound
Another day, another beta. Adobe's latest beta release of its desktop Flash Player -- that's version 11 -- is now available for your downloading pleasure. This particular build brings with it Stage3D APIs, for "advanced" 2D and 3D rendering, 64-bit support, H.264 encoding, and 7.1 surround sound. We're just hoping number 11 won't bring all the flaws and subsequent fixes that have plagued previous versions. For more details, and to download the latest beta, click the source link below.
Adobe dominates Kaspersky Lab's top ten PC vulnerabilities list
Being number one is usually an honor, but not when it comes to Kaspersky Lab's top ten PC vulnerabilities list. Unfortunately for the software giant, Adobe took top dishonors for Q1 this year, pulling in five total spots on the list, including the top three. According to the security firm, all of the vulnerabilities appearing on the list allowed cyber-criminals to control computers at the system level. The number one spot was occupied by a vulnerability in Adobe Reader that was reportedly detected on 40 percent of machines running the application, while Flash Player flaws took second and third. Other dishonorees included the Java Virtual Machine, coming in at fourth and fifth place, Apple QuickTime, Winamp, and Microsoft Office. That ain't bad, considering Microsoft ruled the vulnerabilities roost in 2010.
Flash Player for Mac updated to 10.3, adds preference pane and auto-updates
The beta version of Flash Player 10.3 gave way Thursday to the release version, downloadable freely from Adobe for installation on your Mac. The new build finally restores auto-update capability, which was unstable or unsupported on Mac OS X for quite a while. Now you'll be prompted to patch Flash when necessary (unless you're running the Chrome browser, which packs its own version of Flash). Up until now, adjusting Flash's preferences and settings was done inside a Flash movie in the browser, which was quirky and a bit confusing for novice users. Now there's an honest-to-goodness System Preferences pane for controlling local data storage, peer-to-peer playback, camera/audio settings, purchased content and updating -- much more convenient. Flash Player now respects your private browsing settings (since 10.1) and will avoid saving any local content if your browser is set to private mode, but now you have a convenient button to clear the cache of all Flash content or block specific sites from storing local data. Other new features include audio improvements for echo cancellation, video analytics tied to Adobe's SiteCatalyst product, bug fixes and security features. The full change list is here. Of course, some would prefer to have no truck with Flash Player; we've got your back. [hat tip MacStories]
Flash Player 10.3 hits Android with optimizations, bug fixes aplenty (update: desktops too)
It's been saying that it was coming "soon" since March, and Adobe has now finally delivered Flash Player 10.3 to compatible Android devices. As expected, it brings mostly bug fixes and optimizations, the biggest of which appears to be NEON optimizations for OMAP4 (or Cortex A-9) processors, which should be good news for BlackBerry PlayBook owners (and those that eventually get their hands on an Optimus 3D). Otherwise, you can expect to find the usual batch of security improvements, and a few fixes for specific problems on Galaxy S phones, the HTC Evo, and various Motorola devices. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] Update: Adobe's also now brought the desktop version of Flash Player 10.3 out of beta for Windows, Mac and Linux, and it's confirmed that the Android update does indeed include support for Android 3.1. Hit up the links below for the complete details.
Removing Flash from your Mac
Back in October, Apple shipped its first MacBook Air models without the Adobe Flash plug-in pre-installed. In the ensuing brouhaha, Ars Technica discovered Flash cut battery life by up to 33 percent on the MacBook Air and possibly other MacBook models. Personally, my MacBook often sounds like it's preparing for space flight when I visit pages that use Adobe's plug-in. Whether you wish to conserve electricity, silence overactive cooling fans, boost the security of your browsing experience or protest against the use of media plug-ins, you can easily remove Adobe Flash from your Mac. Most often, the Flash plug-in can be found in the "Internet Plug-Ins" folder on your system's hard drive. To get there, switch to the Finder and select "Go to Folder..." from the "Go" menu. When prompted, enter "/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/" and click "Go" to switch to the appropriate location on your system. Once you are in the "Internet Plug-Ins" directory, make a new folder called "Disabled Plug-Ins." Move the "Flash Player.plugin," "flashplayer.xpt" and "NP-PPC-Dir-Shockwave" files into your new "Disabled Plug-Ins" folder. Or if you really want to kill Flash, toss these files into the Trash. (Note: if you don't find these three files in "/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/" they may be hiding in "~/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/".) The next time you relaunch Safari or Firefox, Flash will no longer be enabled. If you need to view a Flash-enabled page in a pinch, you can install and launch Chrome. This Safari-alternative ships with a Flash plug-in embedded in the browser. You can also install OmniWeb or iCab and copy the Flash plug-in into the browser's plug-in folder. For OmniWeb, right-click on the OmniWeb application and choose "Show Package Contents" to reveal the PlugIns folder. Copy the Flash plug-in to the folder, and you should be good to go. iCab does not contain a PlugIns folder, but you can create one yourself and copy over the Flash plug-in manually.
Google's cloud music service to launch without iOS support
According to CNET, Google will unveil its cloud music service, Music Beta, at the I/O Developer Conference. The free service will be invitation-only (and US-only) at launch, and it will allow users to upload up to 20,000 songs onto Google's servers and stream that music to many web-connected devices. If all that sounds good to you, here's the monkey wrench: the service won't work on iOS devices, because Google has (perhaps deliberately) hobbled it by requiring support for Flash Player. While this means the service will work on PCs, Macs and some Android devices, any iPhone, iPod touch or iPad owners will be forced to use alternative services, like Amazon's Cloud Player or Apple's presumably forthcoming "iCloud" service. Like Amazon, Google hasn't secured licensing deals with the major music labels before launching its music streaming service. Unlike Amazon, Google doesn't have its own music store to assist in monetizing that service, and by choosing to utilize Flash in its implementation, Google's also shut out over 100 million potential mobile users from Music Beta. Google, of course, has a "convenient" answer for any iOS users wanting to use Music Beta -- buy an Android device -- but those of us who are unwilling to do so will either flock to Amazon's service or hope that Apple comes out with something superior.
HSN details Nook Color update for 'mid-April': Android 2.2, Flash, apps and push email
Spent some quality time watching the Home Shopping Network this morning to hear just how the Nook Color will be improved? That's what we thought... but we bit the bullet and tuned in ourselves to get the details for you. Simply put, HSN says Barnes and Noble will start rolling out an over-the-air software package in "mid-April" that will update the Nook Color to Android 2.2, bringing Adobe Flash Player, Angry Birds, and push email of some sort. It'll also apparently include "lots of Nook apps," though the channel's pitchmen only had one to show on TV -- a kid-friendly sketchpad, with a variety of drawing utensils and colored paper. HSN hosts also claim that customers who purchase the Nook Color on the show are "guaranteed to be the very first people updated," though we're not sure we'll take them at their word, considering some of the other fabulous exaggerations we just heard on the air. %Gallery-119775%
Nook Color getting Flash and apps in April update, according to Home Shopping Network (update: official)
The little e-reader that could is about to do even more -- according to a listing on the Home Shopping Network, the Nook Color will get an update next month that brings Flash support and additional apps to the platform. That suggests that we'll finally be seeing Android 2.2 and perhaps an app store of some sort, though HSN isn't spilling the beans right now -- the cable station wants you to tune in at 12AM, 5AM or 9AM (or 12PM, 5PM or 9PM) ET this Saturday to get an exclusive sneak peek at the goods. Yours for just four easy payments of $74.97... which must seem like a tremendous deal compared to HSN's "retail value" of $504. Update: Barnes & Noble has now made this completely official itself, and confirmed that the update will include email support among other "exciting new applications." Press release is after the break.
Adobe's Flash Player, Reader and Acrobat updated to close critical security hole
Adobe has issued an update to its popular Flash Player plug-in as well as its Reader and Acrobat software for viewing and editing PDF (portable document format) files. According to Adobe's security bulletin and advisories webpage, a critical vulnerability has been identified in the above mentioned software that can "... cause a crash and potentially allow an attacker to take control of the affected system." Naturally, Adobe advises that users update their software to the latest version. The affected Flash Player versions are 10.2.152.33 and earlier (10.2.154.18 and earlier for Chrome users). The affected Acrobat and Reader versions are 10.0.1 and earlier 10.x and 9.x versions. To find out what version of Flash Player you're currently running, visit the About Flash Player Page from your browser or right-click on running Flash content and select About Adobe Flash Player from the menu. If you have multiple browsers installed on your Mac, Adobe recommends you perform the check on each browser. For the latest Adobe Reader update click here, and for the latest Adobe Acrobat update click here.
Adobe patches Flash flaw with Acrobat / Reader update
Armageddon averted. Exactly as promised, Adobe has rolled out a fix this week for the zero-day security vulnerability in Flash that had us sweating the world was about to come crashing to an end. It's a somewhat circuitous route to getting your system patched up, however, as you'll need to download an out-of-cycle update for Acrobat and Reader -- the other software affected by this issue. Still, a small price to pay for protecting yourself from the evils of the internets. [Thanks, Paul]
Adobe finds 'critical' security hole in Flash Player, won't fix it before next week
Oh, here we go again. Adobe's kicked out a security bulletin for users of its Flash Player on "all platforms" -- that'll be the entire population of the internet, then -- warning them that a new critical vulnerability has been discovered that may cause crashes and potentially permit the hijacking of systems. The issue also affects the company's Reader and Acrobat software products. Even better news is that Adobe has found it's being actively exploited "in the wild" via a .swf file embedded in an Excel spreadsheet, but a fix won't be forthcoming until the beginning of next week. So, erm, enjoy your full web experience until then!
Adobe Flash Player leaks for Motorola Xoom, we go hands-on (update: more video!)
March 18th may seem like an eternity if you expected your Motorola Xoom to come with Adobe Flash on day one. But you know what? If you put your trust in a mysterious file floating about the internet, there's no need to wait that long. MyDroidWorld obtained possession of a leaked build of Adobe Flash Player for the Xoom, which doesn't need root or even a preliminary update to install -- you just need to check the "Unknown sources" box under Settings > Applications, sideload the file or download it from the Xoom's browser and you're good to go. The best part? Based on our preliminary testing, Flash performs exceedingly well on the Xoom's dual-core Tegra 2 processor. While this early build of Flash was pretty choppy during HD playback, low-res video content rendered at perfectly viewable speeds, and we were able to play games (like Nanaca Crash and Canabalt) so long as they didn't require anything more than single-button control schemes. By contrast, Hulu was a no-go (it's still blocked), and this build has some kinks to work out when it comes to multitasking -- while any single Flash site ran well and we could quickly tab between, the more Flash-heavy tabs we had open, the slower each one ran individually -- which is why the video above starts out so choppy. Adobe's UI also seemed to have some difficulty detecting when we wanted to make a Flash item full-screen. Typically, you double-tap an item to enlarge it, but sometimes that didn't work... but with some Flash content, we found we could long-press on a Flash window to bring up a UI bar that would let us focus on it individually. Before you judge the merits of Flash on tablet, remember that this is a leaked version of a beta release, and if it's this good out of the gate, we're pretty excited about how well it might perform after a few tweaks. Don't miss our video above, and find the file you need to install Flash yourself at our source link. Update: We managed to get Flash to drop one of those context-sensitive buttons during a session of Canabalt and make the window full screen, which not only enlarged the window but also seriously sped up our little runner -- probably by redirecting the tablet's resources to our game. Photographic proof after the break! Update 2: We'll be shooting a second video later in the day to show how the Xoom handles Flash one site at a time. Update 3: There's a brand-new video after the break! As it turns out, you can make certain Flash windows full-screen by long-pressing on them, and we've updated the article to reflect that. Update 4: Adobe's confirmed that we're looking at a leaked build of Flash 10.2, but has also asked us nicely to take our link to the Surprise_flash.apk file down, saying that performance will be further optimized by the time it officially rolls out. Read the company's statement below. The leaked version of Flash Player 10.2 is an earlier build than the one we will make available on Android Market on 3/18. Additional optimization work has been completed since then and we'd like Xoom customers to receive the correct build starting this Fri. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Flash 10.2 beta hits Android Market on March 18th, supports Honeycomb, Gingerbread and Froyo (update)
Contrary to reports floating about the web, the Motorola Xoom isn't getting Adobe Flash Player 10.2 today -- rather, the tablet is getting updated to support Flash, which will actually arrive in one week. Adobe now says that Flash Player 10.2 will be ready to download from the Android Market on March 18th, supporting only Honeycomb tablets (in other words, just the Xoom) to start, and will eventually be available for Android 2.2 smartphones -- again, contrary to what we'd been told, but we can't really complain on that count supporting Android 2.2 (Froyo), Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and a beta version for Android 3.0.1 (Honeycomb) at release. Froyo devices won't get the full battery-friendly Stage Video rendering pipeline and deep browser integration like their Honeycomb tablet brethren, but dual-core phones will reportedly see a performance improvement nonetheless, and there's a new tweak that'll let Flash web apps pull up a virtual keyboard if needed for full functionality. PR after the break. Update: Adobe contacted us to clarify that Flash 10.2 is, in fact, headed to all three of the most recent versions of Android on March 18th -- the Honeycomb tablet version will simply sport a beta label, and the smartphone builds will lack full functionality as described above. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Motorola Xoom update rolling out starting tonight, brings 'required enhancements' for Flash 10.2
In the spirit of issuing software updates with the sole purpose of preparing for more software updates, Motorola says there's about to be some brand new firmware for the Xoom, which will cross the Ts and dot the Is required to install the promised Adobe Flash Player 10.2. The company doesn't say when, exactly, to expect Flash, only that it's "coming soon," but the update will also fix a bug with Daylight Savings Time, which -- given recent history -- should find itself richly welcomed. If you're paying Verizon for 3G bandwidth, you can expect an OTA update in the days to come. [Thanks, Bob, Jake and Oscar]
Adobe Flash Player 10.3 enters beta before Q2 release on desktop, mobile to follow soon after that
Adobe's Flash Player 10.2 is (somewhat infamously) still absent from mobile devices, but the company is bravely promising that its brand new desktop beta of version 10.3 will be coming to both desktop and mobile devices "soon." Improvements in the latest iteration include some acoustic hocus pocus for better internet telephony, new video analytics APIs, privacy controls integrated into browser settings in Firefox 4 and IE8 (Chrome and Safari to follow), and native control panel integration with both Mac's System Preferences and Windows' Control Panel. Beta testing ends in Q2 2011 for the desktop and a mobile release should follow swiftly thereafter. As to when we'll finally be able to stop discussing which devices have or can run Flash, not even Adobe could provide us with a reliable roadmap for that.
