Tag: Flash content

The internet wires have been buzzing recently with some high profile news that may affect the future of Adobe’s long surviving Flash Plugin.

Flash to HTML 5Most recently ZDNet has reported that Flash will not be included with the new “Metro” version of IE 10 that will be included with the new Windows 8. If you haven’t heard about Windows 8 yet – there are some preview videos. TheMetro interface is an enhanced overlay interface (that to me has roots in the Media Center overlay interface – shoot me down!) and will work great if you are using windows 8 on a touch device. It has a lot in common with the new Windows Phone Interfaces that many of you would have experience with too.

Because the interface is coded in HTML 5 and Javascript it will be extensible by web developers. The specialised version of IE 10 in this “Metro” interface will not include the Flash Plugin – however apparently you will be able to switch to the standard desktop version of the browser to view that content. The desktop interface will still be familiar to current Windows 7 users. Microsoft would not have invested so much time and money into the new “Metro” interface if they didn’t expect it to be the way forward for Windows operating systems. As such this seems to be a message that Flash may play a smaller role in browsers of the future.

Adobe too has actually weighed in with some Flash news of their own. They are no longer developing new Flash Players for mobile devices. They realise that HTML 5 is the way forward on mobile devices and they are putting their money behind making HTML 5 all it can be. Of course anyone with a iOS device – iPhone, iPad etc. has never enjoyed flash content anyway, but now that Flash content may begin to disappear from other phones and tablet device browsers too.  Adobe will still allow flash developers to package their Flash content within applications that run on mobile devices through the Adobe AIR platform.

Adobe has years of experience in Flash Player refinements and in creating the tools that allow pixel perfect animations and interactive web interfaces. They realise that by being part of the group pushing HTML5 as the future, they will be there to provide web designers with the vanguard of tools available to fill the gap that Flash leaves behind. In fact it looks like the transition will be gradual – where Adobe products may push out a HTML5 (Maybe through AIR?) and Flash version of the same content.

[quote]we will design new features in Flash for a smooth transition to HTML5 as the standards evolve so developers can confidently invest knowing their skills will continue to be leveraged[/quote] Danny Winokur – VP & GM – Interactive Development Adobe.

Watch this space! HTML 5 has a  way to go to fill the gap that will be created by losing the advanced animation, gaming and video interface that flash provides. But it is being helped up on the shoulders of  the big players like Google, Apple, Microsoft and Adobe.

There is no doubt that the future of interactive, eye popping content lies here…