Apple Corrects iPad Promo Video to Show No Flash Capability

[macintoshtoffy]

Can somebody explain just why apple wouldn't do flash support? licensing fees, technical difficulty, power demands? Also, if the ipad and iphone both lack flash support, might it add up to enough pressure to get some websites to use alternatives?

It has nothing to do with that - how about reading the damn thread. Adobe creates flash, Apple doesn't want flash on there because it is a CPU hogging piece of crap that would destroy battery life. The ball is in Adobes court to produce a plugin that doesn't suck - so far, several years after the iPhone release, they still haven't produced a flashplugin that doesn't suck.

 

[Erwin-Br]

People complaining about Flash banners are hilarious. Do you guys really think companies will stop their annoying pop-up's or those irritating movie banners with sound if Flash would be gone? Of course not, you idiots. They'll just use html5 instead. The same goes for those awful Flash-only websites with horrible animations all over the place: html5 will happily replace that.

And don't start talking about proprietary formats. Last time I checked, Quicktime was proprietary.

 

[libertyforall]

WOOHOOO! DIE FLASH DIE!!!!

 

[Eidorian]

It has nothing to do with that - how about reading the damn thread. Adobe creates flash, Apple doesn't want flash on there because it is a CPU hogging piece of crap that would destroy battery life. The ball is in Adobes court to produce a plugin that doesn't suck - so far, several years after the iPhone release, they still haven't produced a flashplugin that doesn't suck.

Though it does suck less under Windows and Apple isn't opening up their GPU video acceleration APIs. (Please don't even mention OpenCL and if you know that Quicktime X opens up GPU acceleration APIs please link me the documentation of it.)

VPDAU is becoming quite popular as well. Just slap a good interface on like XMBC.

I think many of us forget that the year of HD was 2005.

 

[macintoshtoffy]

People complaining about Flash banners are hilarious. Do you guys really think companies will stop their annoying pop-up's or those irritating movie banners with sound if Flash would be gone? Of course not, you idiots. They'll just use html5 instead. The same goes for those awful Flash-only websites with horrible animations all over the place: html5 will happily replace that.

It has nothing to do with that - how about read the f--king comments before firing off a reply that doesn't address a single grievance in this whole thread. The issue is Flash, its instability and its CPU hogging nature are what is being discussed - have people raised the issues of ads? of course - but if you spent sometime reading you'd find that that they would build on it further and raise the issues if stability and resource hogging - comments that YOU deliberately ignore.

And don't start talking about proprietary formats. Last time I checked, Quicktime was proprietary.

Quicktime isn't a format, it is a container for Christ sake - and yes, it is opensource and you can easily download the code - so shove that in your pipe and smoke it.

Though it does suck less under Windows and Apple isn't opening up their GPU video acceleration APIs. (Please don't even mention OpenCL and if you know that Quicktime X opens up GPU acceleration APIs please link me the documentation of it.)

VPDAU is becoming quite popular as well. Just slap a good interface on like XMBC.

I think many of us forget that the year of HD was 2005.

Graphics acceleration would provide absolute marginal improvements - it is the poor optimisation of their video CODEC that is the problem, that they fail to actually fix. Would OpenCL work? of course but you'd end up still having a large segment of the population who would have unaccelerated video - not including the hand held devices from Apple which don't include it at all. As for GPU acceleration - why doesn't Adobe use the h264 CODEC provided by Apple in Quicktime? why does Adobe so readily think they *NEED* to provide a CODEC of their own when there is already an optimised one read to be used?

 

[Robert M.]

Wouldn't it be funny if Apple did that, then just rebranded the same Flash software, Steve rolled it out as "the greatest thing ever," and all these "Flash is useless, Flash is stupid, Flash is nothing but 99% ads, etc" people would then gush about how great Flash is, how wonderful that all this free Flash stuff is now going to be available to us, and how bright the future of Apple looks now that a bit of Apple software is on > 98% of every computer in the world?

As someone else wisely posted: this should not be about whether Flash is good or bad. Instead, this is about the lord- otherwise known as Apple- bequeathing that thall shall no longer have Flash, and since we love that lord more than we love all the benefits that Flash offers us on the entire Internet, losing it even as an OPTION on select pieces of Apple gear is not just acceptable... but the absolute right way to go- not just for each of us as individuals, but for all of us as a group. Because Apple decided so.

If Apple tells you to cut off your arms & legs because it will use less body energy to power your then lighter body...

I agree with everything you just typed!

 

[gnasher729]

I think you're forgetting about all of computer users (Mac or PC)that use flash everyday in your equation.
(30 million iPhones and iPod touch + O iPads < 1 Billion Computers)
Apple has no leverage in this matter.

It's 75 million iPhones + iPod Touch today. At the going rate there will be at least 30 million iPhones, say 20 million iPod Touch and I'd say about 25 million iPads added this time next year; that's a total of 150 million. All bought by suckers who are clueless enough to spend lots of money on a shiny Apple toy - exactly the people who I would want to see my advertisements.

 

[ipadsad]

This all raises the question of what, if any, good Flash content is there out there that couldn't be done as well or better with HTML, Javascript, etc...?

I don't like or run Flash so I have not the foggiest idea. Suggestions for a list of well behaved, useful Flash applications? Ads need not apply.

Once and for all... apple and adobe don't play well together (most of the reason why flash runs poorly on macs).

HULU and a LOT of VIDEO sites use flash... sites you will want to use with the pad. You won't be able to.

HTML5 is coming and is better, but who knows when.

The pad is a deficient web device without flash as the web currently exists.

Users should have a choice...

Who's against choices? Raise your hand....

 

[larryinfl]

That's the deal breaker for me. My wife wants one to surf while we're watching TV and I'm working. If it doesn't support flash, then Apple is making a horrible mistake. How could something be "the best web surfing experience" when it doesn't support all major web technologies?

Same here. I was thinking of getting one for the house But my wife uses farmville a lot and I make websites, and all my clients want some flash somewhere.

Not including it on a phone is fine and understandable to some point

But on a device apple claims to be 'THE' best way to surf the web is disappointing and frankly embarrassing.

 

[Nuvi]

I'm sick of this type of crap.

Your post has nothing to do with the topic.
I have reported you but I'm quit sure the mods don't care because the more click this place gets the more money they make.

You wanna talk about CLOSED mindset look at MR.

/unsubscribe

Honestly, he was talking about both Flash and Apple devices both being closed systems. Whats your point? Some Mac users are just disappointed with iPad hence the negative comments. Chill and get over it.

 

[UTclassof89]

and just think: if NYT had used simple, proper Flash detection to serve alternate content in the absence of the FlashPlayer, this whole thread wouldn't have to be here....

 

[ipadsad]

It has nothing to do with that - how about reading the damn thread. Adobe creates flash, Apple doesn't want flash on there because it is a CPU hogging piece of crap that would destroy battery life. The ball is in Adobes court to produce a plugin that doesn't suck - so far, several years after the iPhone release, they still haven't produced a flashplugin that doesn't suck.

I've heard apple won't give them the code to properly optimize flash for macs... the war continues and apple customers suffer...

 

[dukebound85]

WHY does EVERY thread turn into a Flash/NO Flash discussion ?

Get over it. Don't buy it.Scheesch.

Since there is so much outcry over this, it may be a hint at what needs to be fixed don't ya think?

 

[Flowbee]

The pad is a deficient web device without flash as the web currently exists.

Users should have a choice...

Um, users can choose to buy whichever tablet computer they wish.

 

[marksman]

Where do you people think the phrase "flash in the pan" came from.

Death to Flash, long live King Steve!

 

[boncellis]

Once and for all... apple and adobe don't play well together (most of the reason why flash runs poorly on macs).

HULU and a LOT of VIDEO sites use flash... sites you will want to use with the pad. You won't be able to.

HTML5 is coming and is better, but who knows when.

The pad is a deficient web device without flash as the web currently exists.

Users should have a choice...

Who's against choices? Raise your hand....

I agree with you about more choices being better.

But, I'm not sure Apple is worried about Hulu on the iPad because they want to sell you TV shows through iTunes.

 

[freediverx]

In what way is HTML 5 more standard than Flash? Explain your answer carefully.

It's not a question of being "standard" it's a question of being an "open standard."

The Flash plugin for Mac sucks. It's bloated and unstable. If Flash were an open standard, Apple could go in and fix it themselves. But because it's owned by Adobe, Apple has no control over it. Putting aside the possibility that Adobe would be willing and able to fix all its current shortcomings, the fact remains that Apple does not like any of its products to depend on closed, third party technologies.

 

[Eidorian]

But, I'm not sure Apple is worried about Hulu on the iPad because they want to sell you TV shows through iTunes.

Apple seems rather fond of wanting us to buy things we can get for free.

Um, users can choose to buy whichever tablet computer they wish.

I want to give Apple my money more than other vendors but then they turn around and never release anything I want. It's rather frustrating.

 

[ipadsad]

and just think: if NYT had used simple, proper Flash detection to serve alternate content in the absence of the FlashPlayer, this whole thread wouldn't have to be here....

Correct and funny as hell... then apple could have kept quietly "not mentioning" that flash isn't supported... and chiat-day wouldn't have to redo the misleading video...

 

[Criscoso]

You can't adopt a company's closed standard as an open standard. That's like saying you're going to adopt a cat as a dog. It doesn't work that way. Until Adobe releases the full source for Flash, which they will never do, it's always going to be a closed format. I also don't even consider it a de facto web standard. It's a common web format, but not a standard by any means. Everything it does can be done in several other ways, even though it may be the most common way of doing several of them.

I also hope it dies, but for what it's worth, Apple doesn't care what I think, or what you think. They do what they think is best. It just so happens that I agree with them in this case. Flash needs to die, and Apple is one of the companies in the best possible position to force that to happen.

jW

Obviously I was talking about releasing the code and create it as standard, if flash has to die, Adobe has nothing to lose.

I'm not saying that flash hast to die, Flash works, it has its problems, but they can be corrected. Many many many people knows and uses Flash, do you think technical reasons (by IT devs that live in their own world) will stop people from using it? You cannot impose anything on the web.
I'm an IT dev tired from changes and changes without real advantages.

Sorry but do you really think that iPad will make everybody in the web change their flash content? Come on!
Apple arrogance will make them fall like Microsoft is falling now.

 

[Anuba]

People complaining about Flash banners are hilarious. Do you guys really think companies will stop their annoying pop-up's or those irritating movie banners with sound if Flash would be gone? Of course not, you idiots. They'll just use html5 instead. The same goes for those awful Flash-only websites with horrible animations all over the place: html5 will happily replace that.

Yup. But with Flash, it's easy to block the ads, I have a feeling it won't be that easy when the banners are part of the HTML rather embedded Flash.

 

[freediverx]

It has nothing to do with that - how about reading the damn thread. Adobe creates flash, Apple doesn't want flash on there because it is a CPU hogging piece of crap that would destroy battery life. The ball is in Adobes court to produce a plugin that doesn't suck - so far, several years after the iPhone release, they still haven't produced a flashplugin that doesn't suck.

In all fairness, that's not completely accurate either. One of the reasons why Flash performs poorly on Macs compared to Windows is that Microsoft allows Flash to access the computer's graphics card. Apple does not.

If Apple truly wanted to "fix" Flash, they'd get together with Adobe and make it happen. Bottom line is that Apple doesn't like to be dependent on a third party, proprietary technology, especially when said technology stands to compete directly against their app store.

 

[MacArchi]

Early indicators are....

that early adopters beware... I am not sure but I guess someone will tell me I am wrong, but it seems to me that there are a lot of sour grapes in this bunch. I know a few people who don't use Apple products, they are forever fiddling around to get their stuff to work. So Apple showed a video clip of a website with Flash content working....mmmm....apart from 'what ever!' springing to mind, maybe it means something is in the pipes, which will drop out when this iPad arrives or soon after. I use my iPhone more for the apps then making calls. I think in years to come the iPad will be seen as a herald concept. On my desktop I am sick of paying hundreds of pounds for tools and features I don't use. That is going to be changed by the paradymn represented by the iPad, I couldn't care less about Flash - I have managed fine without it on my iPhone. Besides as a hardened late adopter by the time I am ready to buy... something better then Flash will be the hot topic.

 

[macintoshtoffy]

In all fairness, that's not completely accurate either. One of the reasons why Flash performs poorly on Macs compared to Windows is that Microsoft allows Flash to access the computer's graphics card. Apple does not.

If Apple truly wanted to "fix" Flash, they'd get together with Adobe and make it happen. Bottom line is that Apple doesn't like to be dependent on a third party, proprietary technology, especially when said technology stands to compete directly against their app store.

I've heard apple won't give them the code to properly optimize flash for macs... the war continues and apple customers suffer...

What a load of unmitigated horse crap - if Microsoft can produce Silverlight for Mac that is light weight, reliable and fast then there is absolutely NO REASON for Adobe not accomplishing the same feat. I'm sick and bloody tire of apologists for Adobe unable to face reality that there are vendors out there, producing good products and don't need to come up with half-baked concocted nonsense of missing or secret APIs as to legitimise the crap quality of their products. It is time for Adobe to either get their act together and produce a decent plugin or shut the hell up about being locked out of the platform.

Adobe know what they need to do - they and their own pampered managers have decided to piss and whine about Apple than actually invest some of their obscene profits back into their products.

 

[nick9191]

Apple will include Flash when Adobe get off their asses and make a decent copy of Flash for OS X. It kills half the Macs out there, how is it meant to fair on a 1ghz ARM chip?

Until that time comes feel free to moan without any real understanding of why Flash is not on the device.