Adobe spends considerable money trying to make us believe that Flash is an indispensable part of the web. But like a friend said on Twitter, this Nexus demo video shows why Flash is not worth it in any mobile device.
He is right. It’s not only the battery consumption, but the incessant zooming and scrolling and the loading times. Why would I like to look at a Flash-based website on a tiny screen? Especially when I avoid them on my desktop computer in the first place.
So here’s the question: Beyond YouTube, which is already available as dedicated apps in all mobile phones, and other Flash-based movie playback, which will be soon replaced by HTML5 embedding, when was the last time you thought “OH, I NEED FLASH TO RUN THIS MUST-SEE SITE!”? Unless you want to play inane Flash-based games like Farmville and enjoy Flash-based ads in your browser, what does Flash really bring to the web today?
Yes, exactly my point.
We are in the Web 2.0 era, people. Let’s move on to more interesting things. [Redmond Pie via Twitter]
Wok
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 7:10 AMNo.
Last time I checked you can develop Flash at any resolution.
It’s like calling video stupid on a phone when people don’t prepare it appropriately.
Flash, like common websites that work on mobiles well needs to be designed for the medium. When it’s not like with common websites it’s a pain to use.
Oh and with device central and the like Adobe do give developers tools to do this.
James Bowling
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 9:23 AMI have to admit, not having flash on my iPhone, I don’t really care. It’s never really come up in my daily mobile internet usage.
The iPad is different. It’s closer to a netbook than a mobile phone. And I want my netbook to support all of the internet pseudostandards, even if they might be gone in a few years. It kinda glosses over the fact when I buy a device I buy it for usage right now.
boc
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 1:49 PMYou’re exactly right!
The iPad should support everything that is important right now. In it’s current form it is a broken promise. The internet in your hands, right…
matt
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 10:57 AMso, I guess that means Web2.0 is less about interactivity and new ways to gain information, and more about exposing all your private details and embarrassing moments to the world?
PASS.
flash could be more optimal, but if I had to chose between having it and not, I would choose having it!! just like I’d choose the next AAA game I buy to be 3D and not an 8 bit side scroller just to save power!
BennyL
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 1:49 PMWith two words I shall negate your opinion without even flinching… CASUAL GAMING.
With approximately 6.5 billion hits per annum, I wonder which horse to back… your opinion, or a market that shows no sign of slowing?
The value of Flash may have been reduced with the new tech & standards coming out, but the fact remains that it still remains an important part of a rich online multimedia experience.