It was the strangest thing. I went to the Adobe MAX convention in 2008 in San Francisco, an event which draws thousands of web developers/programmers from across the globe to discuss Adobe software. I tried to find a person with a Windows laptop and it was a real task. It was basically the technological equivalent of “Where’s Waldo” and the exact opposite of what you find in the rest of society where approximately 93% or so have Windows machines.
Apple computers are entrenched in the developer’s market. At least, this is what I have seen in my travels. I myself use Windows XP at the office (boring) and have Windows 7 (awesome) Â at home. Â All I really care about is that Adobe Fireworks or Flash Professional opens up when I want them to, or any other programs from the CS5 Suite.
Earlier this year Apple didn’t “play nice” and decided to announce a mere days before the launch of the CS5 Suite by Adobe that they were not going to allow any applications to be built using Adobe Flash to be loaded onto the iPhone4. This, despite the fact that they knew for months about plans by Adobe that Flash CS5 was going to be able to export applications in such a way that it would meet Apple’s existing publishing standards. Millions of Flash developers were thus left homeless.  OK, that last bit is a stretch, but I’m willing to bet that they were a tad pissed.
An embarrassing marketing campaign by Adobe ensued with “We Love Apple” banners posted by Adobe scattered across the web. It kinda reminded me of when John Cusack holds up his stereo up over his head in the movie, Say Anything. I felt like saying to Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen, “Dude. Let it go, man. It just isn’t meant to be.”
Well finally Mr. Narayen has come forward and said:
Apple made some statements about the suitability of our technology for mobile devices. Â I think we’ve proven that the technology is not only suitable but it actually significantly enhances the value on these mobile devices.
They’ve chosen to keep their system closed and we’d rather work with partners who are interested in working with us. Â We believe in open systems. We believe in the power of the internet and in customers making choices and I think a lot of the controversy was about their decision at that point. They’ve made their choice. We’ve made ours and we’ve moved on.
Apparently Adobe has made agreements with 19 of the 20 top mobile companies out there; Â Apple being the lone dissenter because, you know – they’re trendsetters, Â so they can afford to walk away from Adobe right now. There are also plans to launch to Blackberry later this year and Windows Phone 7 probably in 2011.
Although they haven’t come out and said it, it’s obvious that Apple doesn’t want Flash on their iPhone4 because of the fact that if you use Flash, you can basically develop once and thus export for multiple platforms. This would then eliminate any aura of exclusivity that Apple has with many of its applications within their market. Also, it would cut into the money they make from the applications as well. On a related note, Phillip Shoemaker, Apple’s App Store Director, apparently sells his own fart apps on Apple’s App Market under the company name, Gray Noodle. You can read more on this story here at Wired. It’s true – I can’t make stuff like that up.
On a more serious note. Adobe has also announced that Adobe AIR will be released in Q4 2010. This is the application which basically turns your standard Flash file into a stand-alone application. The App Market for Android is going to explode even more so in terms of the number of quality apps.
Yep – things are looking bright for Adobe and Flash.
