Why Apple Won't Allow Adobe Flash on iPhone(blog.wired.com)
blog.wired.com
Why Apple Won't Allow Adobe Flash on iPhone
http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/11/adobe-flash-on.html
42 comments
Or scenario #3 where Flash is alright speed wise and users don't notice it much except that websites work as they are expected to (namely embedded videos). Flash hasn't taken over either web or desktop app development in any platform, it wouldn't do that for iPhone either.
>Flash is slow
Wrong. Badly coded flash content is slow.A bad developer churns out bad resource hogging code. Its not Flash's fault.
Wrong. Badly coded flash content is slow.A bad developer churns out bad resource hogging code. Its not Flash's fault.
I don't care whose fault it is. The flash plugin is the only thing that ever causes performance problems for me when browsing, and it happens all the time. If it's purely a flash developer problem I'd say every single flash developer out there is bad and churns out resource hogging code. Either that, or it's the fault of Firefox and Chrome.
Whatever the reason, the flash plugin is a nightmare and I cannot wait to wake up.
Whatever the reason, the flash plugin is a nightmare and I cannot wait to wake up.
The real problem is that Flash is a gateway for a lot of graphic artists wanting to make something more powerful on the web. A lot of copy-pasting and poor practices being executed on a powerful engine with a very steep learning curve.
By comparison, JavaScript is abused less because it's less appealing to beginners (it lacks the wow-factor).
By comparison, JavaScript is abused less because it's less appealing to beginners (it lacks the wow-factor).
I hear you but seriously, my instincts after years of troubleshooting this kind of crap is that the problem is the plug-in itself, not the particular developers that use it. I've seen bad javascript, hell I've seen HTML that can cause performance problems. What's happening with flash seems to be related to the underlying technology.
Some users are affected far more than others, and I have noticed very little correlation between particular sites and performance problems. The only constant seems to be: if the site uses flash (and most sites do), there's a high chance browser CPU usage will spike to 90%+ and stay there until it is killed. I think it happens less-often with firefox only because I've got adblock set up and it stops a lot of it from ever being loaded.
I really don't think the symptoms would be like that if this was simply a case of developers misusing the platform. Some sites would rarely have issues, others would fail all the time. It's mostly a gut instinct at this point and I could be wrong, but I don't think so.
Some users are affected far more than others, and I have noticed very little correlation between particular sites and performance problems. The only constant seems to be: if the site uses flash (and most sites do), there's a high chance browser CPU usage will spike to 90%+ and stay there until it is killed. I think it happens less-often with firefox only because I've got adblock set up and it stops a lot of it from ever being loaded.
I really don't think the symptoms would be like that if this was simply a case of developers misusing the platform. Some sites would rarely have issues, others would fail all the time. It's mostly a gut instinct at this point and I could be wrong, but I don't think so.
There are a healthy number (though minuscule in the grand scheme) of startups that use Flash, and I doubt you'd get the familiar "90%+ CPU crash" by going to those sites.
By contrast, I work at a major media outlet where a lot of folks with no coding experience are creating Flash interactives that are being viewed by (pushed on) a large number of people. It's painful.
Then there's the fact that 99%+ of all obtrusive advertisements are written in Flash.
By contrast, I work at a major media outlet where a lot of folks with no coding experience are creating Flash interactives that are being viewed by (pushed on) a large number of people. It's painful.
Then there's the fact that 99%+ of all obtrusive advertisements are written in Flash.
There is a great distinction to be observed between the words "me" and "us".
It seems as though your experience leads you to your conclusions, but I'd bet rather confidently that your conclusions are conjectural rather than empirical with respect to the experiences of everyone else.
It seems as though your experience leads you to your conclusions, but I'd bet rather confidently that your conclusions are conjectural rather than empirical with respect to the experiences of everyone else.
You're absolutely correct. I do not mean to say otherwise. My experiences in this regard may not be common, but they are almost certainly not unique.
Well, not really. Flash works quite ok on Windows. It is a resource hog on Mac and underdeveloped on Linux, all by Adobe/Macromedia's fault.
You're right about people using it wrong, though.
The iPhone has to be concerned about power consumption, and as a general rule unleashing interpreters is risky because it allows "unnecessary" amounts of computation to consume power.
Consider Flash video. While it would be nice, is it the most power-efficient way to display video? Ditto for games, or anything else that Flash is used for.
There is also the very real problem that Flash is abused for things that people don't want. Pointless intros, advertising, expensive animations...all consuming CPU in a way that is largely beyond the user's control. From the article: "websites that use Flash to render content or navigation won't work on the iPhone"...fine by me, I have never seen a site that did Flash navigation in a way that was more useful than default web navigation (instead, it was just...flashy).
Consider Flash video. While it would be nice, is it the most power-efficient way to display video? Ditto for games, or anything else that Flash is used for.
There is also the very real problem that Flash is abused for things that people don't want. Pointless intros, advertising, expensive animations...all consuming CPU in a way that is largely beyond the user's control. From the article: "websites that use Flash to render content or navigation won't work on the iPhone"...fine by me, I have never seen a site that did Flash navigation in a way that was more useful than default web navigation (instead, it was just...flashy).
It is unlikely that power consumption has anything to do with the restriction. For one thing, you can write wasteful code just as easily in a compiled language as in an interpreted language, and I have never heard of Apple rejecting an application because it computes in a wasteful fashion.
And interpreted languages can run nearly as efficiently as compiled ones for many user-oriented tasks, because most of the time the application is in an idle state waiting for user input. This is why there is interpreted Java bytecode running on nearly every other phone.
And the phone already interprets Javascript, which is even less efficient than Flash. If Apple is willing to let the user choose whether or not to waste their cycles browsing Javascript-heavy pages, why not give them the same option to run wasteful applications?
No, this is entirely about controlling the routes of execution.
And interpreted languages can run nearly as efficiently as compiled ones for many user-oriented tasks, because most of the time the application is in an idle state waiting for user input. This is why there is interpreted Java bytecode running on nearly every other phone.
And the phone already interprets Javascript, which is even less efficient than Flash. If Apple is willing to let the user choose whether or not to waste their cycles browsing Javascript-heavy pages, why not give them the same option to run wasteful applications?
No, this is entirely about controlling the routes of execution.
I wonder if this limitation (not merely banning Flash, but banning interpreters) will turn out to be the weakness that allows a competitor to one day beat the iPhone.
There are cases where you really do want to ship code-- not merely to get around a license restriction, but because that's the right way to build something.
There are cases where you really do want to ship code-- not merely to get around a license restriction, but because that's the right way to build something.
That's going to be true exactly up to the moment when Apple reveals they've been a button click away from enabling Flash on every iPhone, thus killing that differentiation.
This is what the Apple commercial said:
"This is not a watered down version of the Internet, or the mobile version of the Internet, or the kinda sorta looks like the Internet Internet. It’s just the Internet."
Unless Apple allows all plugins freely, the commercial was a lie, and Apple is liable for misleading viewers.
If Apple is concerned about resource hungry apps burning away battery life, they should have an inbuilt mechanism which warns users of every such instance.The choice of avoiding Flash and saving battery life should belong to end user.
"This is not a watered down version of the Internet, or the mobile version of the Internet, or the kinda sorta looks like the Internet Internet. It’s just the Internet."
Unless Apple allows all plugins freely, the commercial was a lie, and Apple is liable for misleading viewers.
If Apple is concerned about resource hungry apps burning away battery life, they should have an inbuilt mechanism which warns users of every such instance.The choice of avoiding Flash and saving battery life should belong to end user.
Flash is in no way the internet. Browsing the web without flash is actually a pretty cool experience. The only thing missing is some video, which should be fixed with the new <video> tag.
http://ajaxian.com/archives/html5-media-support-video-and-au...
(I don't know if the iPhone supports this yet, but I'm guessing it will).
http://ajaxian.com/archives/html5-media-support-video-and-au...
(I don't know if the iPhone supports this yet, but I'm guessing it will).
If Apple has to stay true to the claims they made in the ads, they must allow ALL plugins. No exceptions. Unless the iphone renders a page the way the the page creator intended it to be rendered, its a watered down version of the page.
"Don't hold your breath waiting for the iPhone to support Adobe's Flash software: Apple's terms-of-service agreement prohibits it."
That is probably the most trivial issue preventing Flash from running on the iPhone. Companies negotiate and renegotiate agreements all the time.
That is probably the most trivial issue preventing Flash from running on the iPhone. Companies negotiate and renegotiate agreements all the time.
The point they're making is that it's not a technical problem, but it violates Apple's fundamental strategy with the iPhone.
"Companies negotiate"... but does Jobs? What would Adobe have to put on the table to get Jobs to budge?
i agree. something as major as flash wouldn't be just another app in the app store, it's something that apple would bundle into the next firmware update and tout in their commercials. there is obviously some other reason for them not wanting it on the phone right now.
If this is truely their approach then the iPhone is going to start looking like a pretty lame platform within a few years. There will be too many cool and interesting new things out there that just don't work on it.
in reality, this is a much, MUCH bigger issue than whether some random plugin is or isn't allowed on the iphone.
i personally don't like flash. i think adobe has done a poor job of managing it, and that they are a bad steward of what has become the de facto multimedia platform of the web. based on his actions, it's possible to assume that steven p. jobs feels the same way.
flash is very entrenched on the desktop, but it has yet to gain much of a foothold in the mobile world. by making the iphone a great big hairy obstacle to adoption, jobs just might derail a mobile future that is similarly dominated by flash. personally, i hope he succeeds!
i personally don't like flash. i think adobe has done a poor job of managing it, and that they are a bad steward of what has become the de facto multimedia platform of the web. based on his actions, it's possible to assume that steven p. jobs feels the same way.
flash is very entrenched on the desktop, but it has yet to gain much of a foothold in the mobile world. by making the iphone a great big hairy obstacle to adoption, jobs just might derail a mobile future that is similarly dominated by flash. personally, i hope he succeeds!
> in reality, this is a much, MUCH bigger issue than whether some random plugin is or isn't allowed on the iphone.
That was my point. It is about whether you get to operate your phone the way you want. It is about the percentage of existing and future innovation you will be able to access. Without this the value of the platform will deteriorate.
> i personally don't like flash.
So you think you or Steve Jobs should get to decide if anyone else can use it. What sort of totalitarian utopia do you have in mind?
That was my point. It is about whether you get to operate your phone the way you want. It is about the percentage of existing and future innovation you will be able to access. Without this the value of the platform will deteriorate.
> i personally don't like flash.
So you think you or Steve Jobs should get to decide if anyone else can use it. What sort of totalitarian utopia do you have in mind?
Would you agree that jobs gets to decide how the iPhone works? Because that's what this comes down to.
flash has always been a terrible experience on the mac. It sucks up ridiculous amounts of CPU, far worse than on Windows. Given the iPhones limited CPU, it would like be even worse there.
By not giving in to adobe now, jobs is holding out for faster, better alternatives to emerge.
flash has always been a terrible experience on the mac. It sucks up ridiculous amounts of CPU, far worse than on Windows. Given the iPhones limited CPU, it would like be even worse there.
By not giving in to adobe now, jobs is holding out for faster, better alternatives to emerge.
> Would you agree that jobs gets to decide how the iPhone works?
I don't agree that it is a good idea to let him decide what you are allowed to run on 'your' phone.
> By not giving in to adobe now, jobs is holding out for faster, better alternatives to emerge.
'But he is benign dictator so it's OK'.
Why not let the customers choose? What if he started doing that with your computer with other plugins, platforms and standards? Maybe they could start to decide that other standards are no good and ban them too. Why not ban mp3's or divX? Where does it stop?
If and when jobs retires and the reality distortion field starts to wear off people are going to see this for what it really is.
I don't agree that it is a good idea to let him decide what you are allowed to run on 'your' phone.
> By not giving in to adobe now, jobs is holding out for faster, better alternatives to emerge.
'But he is benign dictator so it's OK'.
Why not let the customers choose? What if he started doing that with your computer with other plugins, platforms and standards? Maybe they could start to decide that other standards are no good and ban them too. Why not ban mp3's or divX? Where does it stop?
If and when jobs retires and the reality distortion field starts to wear off people are going to see this for what it really is.
jobs doesn't let the customers choose for the same reason that pg doesn't let just anybody choose what gets to the front page of this site. democracy leads to mediocrity, every time.
and no, jobs won't be respected any less after he's gone. apple is the only major tech company ever to be near death for years and then be brought back to the top of the heap. that's steve jobs' work, and it makes him a unique individual among unique individuals.
and no, jobs won't be respected any less after he's gone. apple is the only major tech company ever to be near death for years and then be brought back to the top of the heap. that's steve jobs' work, and it makes him a unique individual among unique individuals.
> jobs doesn't let the customers choose for the same reason that pg doesn't let just anybody choose what gets to the front page of this site.
This couldn't be more wrong. Hacker News allows anyone to sign up and submit pretty much any article they want. Then people vote on what gets to the front page. This is in fact an example of democracy in action.
> democracy leads to mediocrity, every time.
Your true colours are revealed. Why not also 'Freedom is slavery'... Look it up.
> and no, jobs won't be respected any less after he's gone.
We where talking about apple and the future of one of their products. You seem to be more interested in jobs. Enough said.
This couldn't be more wrong. Hacker News allows anyone to sign up and submit pretty much any article they want. Then people vote on what gets to the front page. This is in fact an example of democracy in action.
> democracy leads to mediocrity, every time.
Your true colours are revealed. Why not also 'Freedom is slavery'... Look it up.
> and no, jobs won't be respected any less after he's gone.
We where talking about apple and the future of one of their products. You seem to be more interested in jobs. Enough said.
Would you agree that jobs gets to decide how the iPhone works? Because that's what this comes down to.
flash has always been a terrible experience on the mac. It sucks up ridiculous amounts of CPU, far worse than on Windows. Given the iPhones limited CPU, it would like be even worse there.
By not giving in to adobe now, jobs is holding out for faster, better alternatives to emerge.
flash has always been a terrible experience on the mac. It sucks up ridiculous amounts of CPU, far worse than on Windows. Given the iPhones limited CPU, it would like be even worse there.
By not giving in to adobe now, jobs is holding out for faster, better alternatives to emerge.
This is why Android is such a big deal. Yes Apple delivered some real innovation in UI, particularly multitouch. But by trying to enforce lock-in they are eroding the value of their offering.
Agreed.
Everyone else commenting seems to be pointing out the technical hurdles / problems with a flash installation, but they are ignoring the huge business problem with NOT implementing it: customers want it.
Eventually, phones are going to come along that allow free apps, your own music, flash, similar browsing experience, and a real keyboard... and smart people will start to switch back.
In other words, the technical hurdles here are less important than the business ones. This is Jobs trying to have his iron grip, but in the long run, I dont see it working out.
Everyone else commenting seems to be pointing out the technical hurdles / problems with a flash installation, but they are ignoring the huge business problem with NOT implementing it: customers want it.
Eventually, phones are going to come along that allow free apps, your own music, flash, similar browsing experience, and a real keyboard... and smart people will start to switch back.
In other words, the technical hurdles here are less important than the business ones. This is Jobs trying to have his iron grip, but in the long run, I dont see it working out.
They might not sell apps/games...but that's better than not selling the phone in the first place!
I disagree.
I think the massive innovation on the Internet is due to the fact that it's easy to see the code for everything (HTML, CSS, Javascript).
Flash (and Silverlight, etc.) are all attempts to hijack the Internet as we know it. They do offer a better experience, but at a cost (freedom, more code, less innovation, licensing fees, patents, higher costs).
I think the massive innovation on the Internet is due to the fact that it's easy to see the code for everything (HTML, CSS, Javascript).
Flash (and Silverlight, etc.) are all attempts to hijack the Internet as we know it. They do offer a better experience, but at a cost (freedom, more code, less innovation, licensing fees, patents, higher costs).
You consider flash cool and interesting???
Look at some of the awesome things going on with javascript+html5 - being able to do multitouch, canvas, video tag etc. That is the future, flash is likely to go the same way as Java applets IMHO
Who wants java applets on their iphone browser? not me thanks.
Look at some of the awesome things going on with javascript+html5 - being able to do multitouch, canvas, video tag etc. That is the future, flash is likely to go the same way as Java applets IMHO
Who wants java applets on their iphone browser? not me thanks.
> You consider flash cool and interesting???
Not particularly no. The point is that new technologies come along all the time and if you they are going to ban anything they don't like they are going to miss out on a substantial proportion of interesting software.
> Who wants java applets on their iphone browser? not me thanks.
Me. Why not? I'd also like to able to run whatever the F* I like. Why should you or anyone else tell me what I can or can't run?
Not particularly no. The point is that new technologies come along all the time and if you they are going to ban anything they don't like they are going to miss out on a substantial proportion of interesting software.
> Who wants java applets on their iphone browser? not me thanks.
Me. Why not? I'd also like to able to run whatever the F* I like. Why should you or anyone else tell me what I can or can't run?
Jailbreak it then and install flash.
"Adobe says it is working on a version of its popular Flash player for the iPhone..."
"Adobe's recent announcement that it is working on a version of Flash for Windows Mobile..."
Which phones currently support Flash? I know a certain amount of phones support Flashlite? And I openly welcomed Flashlite when I was dealing with terrible mobile browsers and MIDP app development. Now? I don't particularly care for it...
"Adobe's recent announcement that it is working on a version of Flash for Windows Mobile..."
Which phones currently support Flash? I know a certain amount of phones support Flashlite? And I openly welcomed Flashlite when I was dealing with terrible mobile browsers and MIDP app development. Now? I don't particularly care for it...
Hmmm what about the Youtube player on there already? Maybe that should be made available for other FLV video sites
Youtube re-encoded a ton of their videos for iPhone viewing. Perhaps Youtube could offer re-encoding in the cloud or something. A proxy that does this would probably solve the iPhone/Video argument, but it would be expensive to implement and use in practice.
How about just flash video?
1. Flash is slow and clunky and sucks battery life -- much like it does on a full-powered Mac.
2. Flash works great and developers use it to sidestep the App Store, bypassing both Apple's stewardship and profitability.
I've never seen any indication whatsoever (outside of hungry-for-pageviews rumormongering) that Apple is in the least bit interested in letting Flash on the iPhone.