Adobe aims new Flash release at developers and Apple

By Paul Lambert

US software vendor Adobe has released the latest version of its mobile platform, Flash Player 10.1, in a move that draws clear battle-lines between different approaches to creating and selling smartphone content.

Apple has prevented Adobe software from running on its iOS platform, which powers iPhones, iPads and iPod Touch devices, and Adobe will be hoping that momentum gathers behind its latest Flash release to undermine Apple’s walled-garden approach to content and also its favor among developers.

Flash is popular among developers, but Apple says the software slows down its operating systems and is a drain on battery life. Because Apple doesn’t support Flash, any website that features Flash content can’t be accessed on iOS-based devices.

Flash Player 10.1 will be available as a final production release for smart phones and tablets once users are able to upgrade to Android 2.2 “Froyo.” Flash Player 10.1 was also released to mobile platform partners to be supported on devices based on Android, BlackBerry, webOS, future versions of Windows Phone, LiMo, MeeGo and Symbian OS, and is expected to be made available via over-the-air downloads and to be pre-installed on smart phones, tablets and other devices in the coming months.

Adobe will be hoping that support for Flash 10.1 will be strong enough to undermine Apple’s dominance in the smartphone application space.