Adobe Blasts Apple Over iPad

[John Funk]

Adobe Blasts Apple Over iPad

Adobe, the company behind the popular Flash format, has decried Apple's decision to not incorporate Flash support into its recently-unveiled iPad tablet.

Yesterday, Apple unveiled its latest almost-guaranteed-to-sell-a-hozillion-copies gadget, the iPad [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/97806-Apples-Steve-Jobs-Announces-the-iPad]. Reactions seemed mixed, with the Apple diehards predictably loving it, some not sure what to make of it, and others lambasting it for what they saw as design flaws (like a lack of multitasking support, for one).

Another perceived flaw (albeit one present in the iPad's predecessors like the iPhone and the iPod Touch) is that the device does not support Adobe's popular Flash format, meaning that many online videos and games are unplayable when browsing the internet via the iPad. In a statement on the Adobe website [http://blogs.adobe.com/flashplatform/2010/01/apples_ipad_--_a_broken_link.html], the Flash parent called Apple's choice restrictive, intended to limit content on the iPad only to that supported by Apple's own DRM.

[blockquote]It looks like Apple is continuing to impose restrictions on their devices that limit both content publishers and consumers. Unlike many other ebook readers using the ePub file format, consumers will not be able to access ePub content with Apple's DRM technology on devices made by other manufacturers. And without Flash support, iPad users will not be able to access the full range of web content, including over 70% of games and 75% of video on the web.

If I want to use the iPad to connect to Disney, Hulu, Miniclip, Farmville, ESPN, Kongregate, or JibJab -- not to mention the millions of other sites on the web -- I'll be out of luck.[/blockquote]

From Apple's point of view, though, it does make sense - if I want to encourage someone to go to the App Store to buy my games, why would I give them the ability to just play games free via the web?

Is the lack of Flash really a dealbreaker? Or is Adobe just making noise over a perceived snub via Apple's latest shiny toy?

(Via MTV Multiplayer [http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2010/01/28/ipad-lacks-flash-support-adobe-decries-choice/])

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[ZeroDotZero]

I think it probably is a deal-breaker. It just looks like a large iPhone, especially without Flash. I doubt I will be getting one.

 

[Swaki]

well that seems stupid on apples part, but i cant believe that they chose farmville as one of their examples of flashes awesomeness.

 

[Snotnarok]

Not like I had any plan of buying this ItouchHD, but seriously, how much more can apple limit their devices? I just got the 3g itouch and seriously, they let you do nothing with your device. I jail broke it to enable more features but no flash? Seriously guys.

 

[microhive]

Finally Apple has made a good decision. Somebody has to destroy Flash and start the HTML 5 movement.

Flash is a resource hug and causes frequent crashes.

Also YouTube are testing their HTML 5 capabilities meaning that Flash may be dropped sometime in the future if it takes off.

 

[TheSkaAssassin]

Partial deal breaker. The industry is moving to something beyond flash, and when that happens apple will be on top. But until then, Apple will be at a loss.

 

[Gildan Bladeborn]

No, not having any Flash support on a device ostensibly geared towards doing stuff on the interwebs strikes me as a pretty serious dealbreaker, so I would say that's an entirely logical reaction from Adobe that aptly echoes my own sentiments.

 

[TheYellowCellPhone]

Ya, stupid move on Apple's part. I know somewhere an Apple fan will be foaming, but I think Apple has made a lot of design flaws with the iPad -- no multi-tasking, no Flash, no USB, and of course it's price.

 

[DeadlyYellow]

No flash, no cash.

Not like Apple would miss my support anyway.

 

[lacktheknack]

I really hope it sinks. Come on, you give me a browser, and I can't even watch half the content on it?

 

[Tim_LRR]

It's a dealbreaker for me, at this point. If I was considering buying one, not having Flash support would make me seriously rethink my decision.

 

[Digikid]

No flash? NO SALE.

 

[Spleenbag]

There are plenty of disadvantages to the iPad already - crippling it like that just makes it less and less attractive. Sure, Flash will eventually be gone - but it isn't gone yet. This thing is just a giant iPod Touch, yet it's being marketed as a full computer - complete with the Apple premium price.

 

[McNinja]

This thing is just a giant iPod Touch, yet it's being marketed as a full computer - complete with the Apple premium price.

Aren't there already full computers that can do all of what this iPad can do, plus far more?

But hey, it's Apple, and some people will buy anything Apple produces.

 

[roekenny]

No real surprise there since not a laptop just a bigger Itouch so can get away limiting formats, as if limited the mac range like this there would be outcry as can't get away from restricting 3rd parties.

That and MS would just just run with it with a ad campaign similar to old mac ad's with pc getting 3rd party software been different people and having a party and wanting to see if macs want to join in, and mac refusing saying nah I'm too exclusive for them losers and going out with sister from Norfolk.

Still woun't stop it selling like hotcakes and I've got to listen about how good this product is for next few mouths, then when comes out I get to rip piss out of friend as always say apple just announced next gen of I pads what have a few extra features could of added what on his Iphone called the Iscam.

 

[Jared]

I think it probably is a deal-breaker. It just looks like a large iPhone, especially without Flash. I doubt I will be getting one.

Same here...just, too cluncky

 

[Treblaine]

From Apple's point of view, though, it does make sense - if I want to encourage someone to go to the App Store to buy my games, why would I give them the ability to just play games free via the web?

Doesn't make sense if they want to make a product people other than apple-fanboys will buy.

Is the lack of Flash really a dealbreaker? Or is Adobe just making noise over a perceived snub via Apple's latest shiny toy?

Oh yes, that's a deal breaker as well as virtually everything else.

Everyone was expecting a Miniature Tablet version of a Macbook... Instead Apple just super-sized an iPod Touch. WHY?!?!!? It functions virtually identically to an iPod touch but just bigger. The only appeal I see is to give ordinary sized people the feeling that they are giants!

"just able to get ten hours of battery life" they said (which his code for 5 hours battery life) with no replaceable battery and bog standard LCD screen when we all know OLED is the hot new thing, much higher image quality, thinner, lighter and lower power consumption... why didn't they use it?

Well I've got a tip for you on that, rumour heard through CNET's podcast Buzz Out Loud, long before the iPad was announced the show got wind of Apple buyign up large orders of 9.6 inch LCD as well as OLED screens. Me thinks early adopters will be punished as usual and then Apple will release the OLED version.

But even with OLED, the iPad is the answer to netbooks? The Asus 1000HE for $100 less than the most basic iPad runs rings around this!

The size is just all wrong as well, too large for even the largest coat pockets yet a backpack or shoulder bag would be overkill.

iPad equals only one thing: man-purse, the "murse"... as G4TV recommends to guys "it goes so well with your 'mussy'"

I predict the iPad is going to be a complete failure.

 

[Sion_Barzahd]

Flash players are pretty important for doing plenty of things on the internet. Kinda sad that apple ain't having it on their system.
If i was a sneaky, theiving corperate businessman. Like the ones that work at apple, i'd make the flash player a software app that could be bought.
That way they wouldn't lose profits from the free games and shizz.

 

[BioTox]

It's a huge iPod Touch or iPhone. LoL I already have my iPhone and I can do almost everything from it without needing a large CPU or graphics card. Why give up your old Mac or PC to lose a lot of web content? It's not like it's a super computer.

Even the iPhone can watch YouTube videos... come on Apple...

 

[MR T3D]

Ladies,
THAT's a dealbraker