But since it doesn't use any resources other than storage media except while it's not running, it will only drain battery life while you're actually using it. It should be possible to make it extremely obvious when Flash content is about to load, and give the user the option of blocking or allowing it either on a case-by-case basis, or according to a set of predefined rules.
Yeah, I'm sure users want a popup to come up every time a site wants to load a Flash ad.
I'm sure you have proof of that.
No, of course I don't. But flash is well-known to be extremely slow on the Mac and has been for years, and it's only changing now. No matter what the reason, it's inexcusable that one tiny bugfix took this long.
The problem is that support for the canvas element is not deployed widely enough yet for it to be a viable replacement for Flash from the perspective of a content creator wanting to reach the broadest audience with the least effort. In fact, so far I haven't seen any alternatives that adequately replace the full breadth of cross-platform consistency and functionality you can get from Flash. Well, maybe Silverlight, but I haven't really looked too deeply at it yet.
Then they can make a specific part of the site for the iPhone that doesn't require flash. Or they could just use HTML and Javascript to make their website. The only time Flash is even remotely necessary is with flash video, and it's not out of the question to ask them to use a open standard.
With the Open Screen Project, Apple is totally at liberty to create its own well-performing Flash Player replacement based on openly published specs and royalty-free licenses. [holds breath]
But they don't want flash. Why would they do such a thing? They like AJAX and QuickTime video and Apple has no desire to put work into reimplementing functionality. I'm sure you've used Apple's website before. They have managed to make a very nice site with animations and other nice little touches without using a single flash element.
Fine. You don't want Flash. I support your right to be able to keep your iPhone Flash-free. I disagree with your position that just because you don't want it, it follows that nobody else should be given to option of using it either.
Again, the reason I don't want it is because even allowing flash would soon turn it into a requirement as sites are not going to put the work into using industry standards if they don't have to. The leak would turn into a flood, and Apple is making the right choice by not allowing the leak.
Anyway, I'm extremely sure that Apple will never allow flash on the iPhone for all the reasons I've given., so this argument is sort of pointless.
You point out that flash is "horribly slow on the Mac". I pointed out that I dont have any issues with Flash on any of the 5 Macs I work on. Yes the phone will be a different issue but thats not what you were referencing.
I used to say the same thing, but I was wrong. Flash is extremely slow. Compare it to a Windows PC and you will understand. And, as I said, if it's that slow on Macs with the fastest processors in the industry, how do you think it's going to function on the iPhone's puny ARM processor?
Also, Flash lite is not Flash. Allowing flash lite will NOT make your web pages work because they were not developed for flash lite. Flash lite will not make flash video work, because it was not developed for flash lite. In other words, specific pages will have to be made for iPhone flash lite, and if the web page creator is going to do that, they might as well just use an industry standard, like I've been saying, that works on the iPhone. And no, regular Flash could not possibly work on today's iPhone. It would crash, overheat, or drain your battery so fast it would be unusable.
