Responding to a change in the licensing terms for developers building applications for version 4.0 of the iPhone, a technology evangelist forAdobe Systems has told Apple to go perform an anatomically impossible act.
"Go screw yourself Apple," wrote Lee Brimelow, an Adobe platformevangelist, on his personal Web site, The Flash Blog.
The post is the latest volley in an escalating war between Apple and Adobe. This week, Apple changed the licensing language for its iPhone SDK (software development kit) in such a way that developers may not submit programs to Apple that use cross-platform compilers (or compilers tha t would allow them to write a program once and have it run on either the iPhone, Android, or any other platform with no changes).
As it happens, Adobe plans to introduce just such a cross-platform compiler with version 5 of its Creative Suite content creation package, due out on Monday.
Observers have pointed out that Apple's decision will affect not just Adobe, but any other makers of cross-platform compilers. But the move comes after Apple has banned Adobe's Flash Player from its iPhones and iPads, with Steve Jobs instructing Web developers to use HTML5 instead.
In a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Friday, Adobe identified Apple's refusal to allow Flash on its devices as a "risk factor" for its business that could steer users toward "alternative technologies."
Adobe's official response to the new license terms had thus far been measured. A spokeswoman sent back the message, by e-mail: "We are aware of Apple's new SDK language and are looking into it. We continue to develop our Packager for iPhon e OS technology, which we plan to debut in Flash CS5."
Brimelow, however, does not withhold his contempt. Apple's action "is a frightening move that has no rational defense other than wanting tyrannical control over developers and more importantly, wanting to use developers as pawns in their crusade against Adobe," he wrote.
Brimelow's blog has a disclaimer stating the opinions expressed there are his own and not those of Adobe. The WHOIS Internet domain name information service backs this claim, listing Brimelow, not Adobe, as the owner of Flashblog.com.
Adobe, evidently, was at least aware of the blog post just as it went live. The second paragraph mentions that a line was edited out on behalf of Adobe. The earlier version of the post apparently stated that "What is clear is that Apple has timed this purposely to hurt sales of CS5."
Brimelow's blog post closes with a final jab: "Comments disabled as I'm not interested in hearing from the Cupertino Comment SPAM bots."
Adobe has confirmed that Brimelow works for Adobe.
I have to agree with Apple and Steve Jobs, Flash is a resource hog. I've been monitoring its CPU usage for awhile and have been shocked at its domination of my CPU. For those on Apple products open up Activity Monitor and see how heavy Flash is on one's system. (Applications>Utilities>Activity Monitor). Not only is Flash a resource hog it opens the door to malware with special compilers that can and may damage one's machine.
ReplyDeleteThere is one thing that I miss when using my iPod Touch, Hulu Web site. Don't worry, Hulu is quickly bringing an iPod/iPhone/iPad app to the game. Flash is the technology that the majority of banner ads, pillar ads and games use. Do I miss those ads on my iPod Touch—heck no. I don't play Flash based games on my Touch, I've got truckloads of app games to play from the iTunes App store.
From the reading I've done on this subject it appeared Adobe was looking for a shortcut for developers to get their product on the iPhone/iPod/iPad. Who can blame them, these products are plum ripe for the picking. There has been some online rumors floating around that Apple might buy Adobe. Apple has $25 billion just sitting in the bank and could easily find investors to make such a purchase.
Everyone was up in arms when Apple dropped the floppy disc drives from their machines. Two years later the entire PC market dropped them also. Boils down to innovation and the continued pushing of technology that makes Apple the industry leader. Apple moves forward and sets new standards and the rest of market plays catchup.