Adobe vs Apple: Divorces are never easy.
April 9, 2010
Why is Adobe yelling and complaining about flash-free iPhones?
Every developer who makes something in Flash or grpahics for the iPhone, is probably forking over $500+ a year to Adobe for Photoshop+Flash. I mean, shouldn’t Adobe be marketing Photoshop for iPhone development?
Stepping back, we can recall that Adobe was real close to discontinuing their products on Apple’s operating system. Did Apple whine like this?
Did IBM throw tantrums and cry when Apple dropped PPC?
No, Apple and IBM know better. They took the cards they were dealt and when on doing business.
So here we are. Flash blows and “interpreted code” — whether it’s PHP or Flash’s ActionScript — is a huge security vulnerability, and for this reason Apple doesn’t allow them on the iPhone anyways. How many iPhone malware worms are there? (jailbroken-only virus doesn’t count). How many Flash malware worms are there? Answer: at least one per year.
I’ll repeat some coverage from TechCrunch which had an excerpt from Adobe’s 10-Q filing:
“To the extent new releases of operating systems or other third-party products, platforms or devices, such as the Apple iPhone or iPad, make it more difficult for our products to perform, and our customers are persuaded to use alternative technologies, our business could be harmed.”
Let’s be honest here. Rarely is anyone able to start an Apple-dependent product partnership without Apple’s written consent. In this regard, Apple’s legal and PR position has been consistent for decades.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Apple speaks nothing of this matter. Of course, we know what that means.
Welcome Adobe, to the “APPL ex’s club”. I’m sure IBM and Motorola will welcome you. Motorola makes cell phones too, so, I’m sure you’ll be in good company.
