Adobe has released statistics stating more than 7 million attempts were made by iPhone and iPod Touch users to download Flash for their devices in December 2009. This is an additional 4 million requests from the statistics from June of the same year.
The Ongoing Flash vs. Apple Debate
With Apple still refusing to allow its devices to use Flash and with Steve Jobs calling Adobe lazy, it doesn’t look like a quick resolution of their disagreements will be found. The conflict between Apple and Adobe has been a significant point of contention in the tech industry. Steve Jobs famously criticized Flash for being unreliable, insecure, and a battery drainer. He argued that HTML5 was a better alternative for multimedia content on the web.
This stance has led to a significant divide among users and developers. Many developers who had invested heavily in Flash were frustrated by Apple’s refusal to support it on their popular devices. On the other hand, proponents of Apple’s decision argued that the move pushed the industry towards more modern and efficient technologies.
Market Implications and Future Projections
Analysts project that 53% of smartphones in 2012 will be supporting full Flash, which means an installation base of more than 250 million phones supporting Flash by 2012. This projection highlights the potential market impact of Apple’s decision. If Apple continues not to support Flash in the coming months with the release of more and more competitor devices supporting Flash, Apple may see their competitors easily winning market share.
For instance, Android devices, which were rapidly gaining popularity at the time, fully supported Flash, giving them a competitive edge in attracting users who wanted a seamless web browsing experience. This support for Flash allowed users to access a wider range of multimedia content, including games and videos, which were not available on Apple devices.
Moreover, the business implications were significant. Websites and online services that relied on Flash had to decide whether to continue using the technology or to invest in alternatives that would be compatible with Apple’s ecosystem. This decision often involved considerable time and financial resources.
The debate also extended to the realm of online advertising. Many online ads were created using Flash, and Apple’s refusal to support the technology meant that advertisers had to rethink their strategies to reach iPhone and iPod Touch users. This shift had a ripple effect across the digital advertising industry, pushing it towards more versatile and mobile-friendly formats.
The statistics released by Adobe in December 2009 underscored the high demand for Flash among iPhone and iPod Touch users, despite Apple’s firm stance against it. The ongoing debate between Apple and Adobe had far-reaching implications for the tech industry, influencing the development of web technologies and the competitive dynamics of the smartphone market. As the industry continued to evolve, the decisions made during this period played a crucial role in shaping the future of mobile and web experiences.
Via Engadget
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