Apple vs. Adobe - The Chris Notes

Initially I was asked to read articles based on the recent controversy surrounding Apple's choice not use Adobe's Flash in place of HTML5 on its iPhone, iPod, and iPad devices. However as I read and took in the opinions of those covering and involved in the heated debate one thing became clear, this was not merely fueled by one platform being better than the other.

Fruit From The Same Tree

As Steve Jobs stated in his letter to the Apple faithful regarding the issue Adobe and Apple both have a long history together working with one another, and one could make the argument either would not be here in the same capacity without the other.  However like any relationship there were bumps in the road and interests once shared were abandoned along the way.  None the less they have still been very much partners over the years.

Flash Me

Adobe Flash is a system developed by Adobe Systems that is used to add animation, video, and provide interactive features to users on web pages.  In this day and age of viral videos, online games, apps, etc. it has a number of uses.  It has commonly been the standard to adding such features as listed above to websites all over the world.  As it is an Adobe product it is only available through Adobe, and not openly available to modification or manipulation.

HTML 5

Currently still under development HTML 5 is an open source standard for incorporating video and other numerous features recently only available through programs like Flash.  As an open source program it is constantly undergoing advances in development and the addition of new features.

My Thoughts

As it has now become available or at least in some form HTML 5 has been chosen by Apple to work in place of Flash on its iPhone, iPod, and iPad devices.  Presumable because it is open source where as before Apple had to go through Adobe for Flash.  Apple makes the case that it is because the technology offered through HTML 5 will work better for those applications than Flash and that there has been bad blood in that department with Adobe.  However the other side disagrees, and makes the point that it is hypocritical of Apple to make a move such as this as most all they're software in not open like Flash, in a sense "the pot calling the kettle black." In my opinion, if given the choice to be able to create something as you see fit in your own right rather than be forced to use something as it is given to you is a no brainer.

-CB