Adobe promises Flash development of non-Flash iPhone apps
updated 04:55 pm EDT, Mon October 5, 2009
May simplify cross-platform development
Adobe is well into the production of updated Flash Authoring software, allowing the creation of iPhone apps, says an Adobe product manager. Mike Chambers notes that a private beta of the new software is already in effect, and some titles built with Flash have already reached the App Store, such as Fickleblox and Trading Stuff. A public beta of the tool will be released by the end of the year, alongside Flash CS5.
The company is careful to note that Flash Authoring does not produce apps with embedded Flash, which Apple has forbidden on the iPhone and iPod touch mainly as a result of battery concerns. Apps are instead compiled into a standard iPhone format. The software should nevertheless be useful to web and mobile developers, who may be able to more rapidly produce material for both phones and computers.
Chambers warns that because Apple handhelds have weaker memory and processing hardware than desktops and notebooks, developers may have to optimize and/or scale down their projects. iPhone apps also tend to use different interface conventions. To help with performance, the Flash Authoring compiler enables elements such as graphics acceleration.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2004
Adobe politics as usual
Everything Adobe creates for Apple is late and overpriced, and pointless. Where's 64-bit Photoshop? On Windows. Where's Flash? On everyone else's phone. As an Apple user, I hear Adobe's strategy loud an clear.
So why is everyone excited about Flash? Adobe is just going to use it to pull the rug from under us all over again. It's just another program they won't support.