SHINY TOY DESIGNER Apple might come to regret its
decision not to support Adobe's Flash.
According to a recent survey, researchers at Changewave found that the most
common dislike among Ipad owners was the device's
lack of Flash support. Apple's dear leader Steve Jobs has made it clear
that he will not allow devices running Iphone OS to use Adobe's Flash.
Given that over 80 per cent of respondents in the report claim to use
their Ipads for web browsing and almost 50 per cent for viewing video,
areas in which Flash is particularly pervasive, it's not surprising that
users find lack of support for the format annoying.
Those who have shelled out big bucks to get their hands on an Ipad
may complain about the situation, but given Jobs' very public spat with
Adobe it's highly unlikely that Adobe will ever see Flash support in the
Iphone OS. After Jobs made a number of accusations and false claims
about the software, it was revealed why he is so fervently against
Adobe's product when plans for Apple's own Cocoa fuelled web were
outed.
Few would argue that Adobe and its products are open, but given that
so many aspects of the web currently depend on it, simply blocking it
will, as this report shows, only leave users aggrieved.
Adobe, realising that its relationship with Apple has hit the
buffers, decided to cosy up to Google and its open source Android
operating system, meaning those who want to enjoy all that the web has
to offer can do so by purchasing a device running Android.
The report also dismisses Jobs' ridiculous claim that the Ipad is a
"revolutionary device" by asking users what they do with the shiny toy.
Aside from web browsing and watching videos, checking email, playing
games and listening to music were all popular Ipad activities, just as
they are on netbooks and even the firm's Iphones and Macbooks.
As Jobs' Mob decides whether or not to deride this report, it cannot
hide from the fact that the road its dear leader has decided to take it
down might lead to alienating a significant percentage of its customers.
The fruit themed toymaker is launching the Ipad on May 28 or June 7
depending on which date you believe. That is also the same time that
Google is set to release Android 2.2, which
features multi-tasking and Adobe's Flash 10.1, both of which are
features absent from Apple's oversized Iphone without a phone.