Adobe Flash Player for iPod touch

[dezicartel]

Anyone have an update on this or when it will come out? I remember a while ago people were griping about the iphone not having flash player capability and they were going to release an update....

any word on ipod touch getting adobe flash player so i can actually view www.youtube.com?

Thanks for all the input..

[Complexis]

Unfortunately there are no plans and plans to hack the touch are increasingly difficult and we probably won't see it hacked.

[iChange]

Yea i agree with the person above me. You will not see any updates on iPod touch regarding Flash Player. It will take a lot of time for Apple to do such thing if they even decide to have an update on flash player. So forget about the Flash Player for now. Youtube feature is great and no need for flash player in my opinion.

[Jacksteruk309]

I think Apple really dropped the ball on Adobe's Flash in Safari. I mean right now the web is using Flash more and more, mainly because it's cross platform and it's guaranteed to look the same wherever you view it from. Heck even Sony managed to get it in the PSP.

C'mon Apple, if you're not gonna give us Java at least give us Flash! I want to watch Weebl and Bob on my iPod Touch :-(

[Complexis]

If you think about it, having flash on it would make things complicated. Think about all the flash games. How can the multitouch distinguish from you wanting to move the screen instead of clicking and dragging something in a flash game? It can't. Thats probably one of the main reasons why they arn't putting it in. Also what would they do if the flash content is a music player and it conflicts with the song that is currently playing? It would be messy.

[dezicartel]

yeah, but IMO flash is still a necessity for surfing the web nowadays...for example...im big on fantasy football, and would love to have my touch sittin there while watching the game, but its no use because i cant launch stat tracker, because its FLASH!....god i really do think apple dropped the ball with the flash thing....

this is very disappointing.

[Enigma]

Issues with games aside flash would be nice and it would add to the "full internet on an ipod" statement.
I don't think it would be any more messy than listening to music on your computer and navigating to a flash page with music. You can double tap the home button for music controls to pause you're music if you can't pause the flash music.
I'm thinking the main reason apple isn't doing it is because flash video content would really compete with itunes for video content. There's a lot of access to "free" copy written material out there in flv format, not so much m4v.

[Jacksteruk309]

I'm thinking the main reason apple isn't doing it is because flash video content would really compete with itunes for video content. There's a lot of access to "free" copy written material out there in flv format, not so much m4v.

I agree. Once again greed gets in the way of innovation. I'm afraid I'm beginning to agree with the 'Apple Going Rotten' article :(

[kornchild2002]

I think one of the reasons why Flash isn't incorporated into the iPod touch is it is a bit more complicated than people realize. Sony barely added Flash to the PSP but it is an old version of flash, it isn't any of the newer versions so newer websites won't properly load. I don't think it has anything to do with getting free videos off of the internet vs the iTunes Store. If that was the case then Apple would have locked Flash out of their full blown OSX/PC internet browsers. Video content on the internet is really only good for viewing and you have to be within a wi-fi network to do so. iTunes Store videos are much higher in quality and you can watch them anywhere.

I am thinking that Apple had some browsing issues with Flash on the iPod touch. For example, Flash adds really like to hijack your web view experience. You can simply move your mouse over them and the adds begin to play. There are also many other issues with Flash in that there seems to be a new version coming out once every year or so. That would mean that Apple would have to continually update the iPod touch to support newer versions of flash. The iPod touch would also have to differentiate between simple website viewing, flash games, and video playback due to processor loads. You don't want to open up a 640X480 flash video just to have to playback crappily and deplete your battery.

[Jacksteruk309]

I think one of the reasons why Flash isn't incorporated into the iPod touch is it is a bit more complicated than people realize. Sony barely added Flash to the PSP but it is an old version of flash, it isn't any of the newer versions so newer websites won't properly load. I don't think it has anything to do with getting free videos off of the internet vs the iTunes Store. If that was the case then Apple would have locked Flash out of their full blown OSX/PC internet browsers. Video content on the internet is really only good for viewing and you have to be within a wi-fi network to do so. iTunes Store videos are much higher in quality and you can watch them anywhere.

I am thinking that Apple had some browsing issues with Flash on the iPod touch. For example, Flash adds really like to hijack your web view experience. You can simply move your mouse over them and the adds begin to play. There are also many other issues with Flash in that there seems to be a new version coming out once every year or so. That would mean that Apple would have to continually update the iPod touch to support newer versions of flash. The iPod touch would also have to differentiate between simple website viewing, flash games, and video playback due to processor loads. You don't want to open up a 640X480 flash video just to have to playback crappily and deplete your battery.

I agree that there would probably be some problems getting Flash to work properly on the iPod Touch, and I especially think that CPU usage would be a major problem.

But I think your argument that Apple would lock people out of using Flash on the Mac is flawed, if Apple intentionally tried to stop me using any program on my Mac which I wanted to use then I'd ditch it and go Linux all the way :)

[bjack913]

The problem with Adobe Flash is two-fold:


Though the iPod touch runs on a scaled version of OSX, it contains an ARM based processor, not an x86 or PPC based processor like on a desktop PC or Mac. This means that Adobe (and not Apple, because flash technologies are closed source and owned by Adobe) would need to write a version of the flash player specifically for the iPod touch/iPhone ARM processor. This means that Adobe would have to work closely with Apple (who would also need to hand over a large sum of money to Adobe) to develop a flash player. This means that either Apple or the consumer would need to absorb the cost of the new flash player; I doubt that Apple likes either option.


The memory and processing footprint of a full scale desktop-like Adobe Flash plug in is huge. The iPod touch simply lacks the memory and processor resources to properly run flash. Safari would likely become very unstable if Adobe attempted to run a version of flash for the iPod touch.

In short, we will likely never see Abode Flash on this generation of the iPod touch.

[marinelayer]

Mobile devices can use Flash Lite if the manufacturer licenses the tech and if it's a phone, the carrier does as well. I suspect that Apple will license this at some point just as they have native PDF support but there are support and bandwidth issues to work out first. Until then they won't pay for that license. At the same time they probably want to steer developers towards web-based work instead of giving them hope that their existing Flash stuff will work soon(er or later).

[hugznotthugzkid]

Where you're right is that it's not a simple matter of throwing the Flash 'OS X' plugin, in that the iPod is using an ARM CPU, wheras the Flash player binary is PowerPC and x86 only.

It took Adobe months to even port Flash OS X from PPC to x86. Remember this is a team with years of experience with both OS X and x86 code - but Flash contains CPU specific optimization, and increasingly GPU acceleration too.
(No criticism to the team - it's also very small and very focused).

Also, Flash is not Java - Apple can't implement their own and get it certified. Only Adobe writes the Flash player, and the SDK version lags years behind.

The BIG thing against Flash is that it provides a huge back door into the phone that Apple (and AT&T) wouldn't be able to control. IM? VNC? VOIP? All available as Flash apps. Then there's also the question of battery life - for instance, even JavaScript on the iPhone is restricted compared to desktop Safari (only runs for something like 5 mins on a given page, I think). Again, you have to consider how much code optimization they've probably done on this thing to give it a reasonable battery life.

[Alcorntyson]

Adobe is making a flash player for iphone and iPod touch, I'm guessing it will be in the next update.

[ipodlover29]

Adobe is making a flash player for iphone and iPod touch, I'm guessing it will be in the next update.

I doubt it will be in an upcoming update or the next update. If it does come out it will be in the 3rd gen iPhone and iPod touch.

[Bren86]

Has it been confirmed adobe are actually making flash for the device then?

I get my touch on monday, so how is web browsing if there is no flash support, does the majority of sites work?

[archurban]

actually they have worked with Apple for developing special iphone version of it now. so we need to wait.

[nichosis]

yeah, but IMO flash is still a necessity for surfing the web nowadays...for example...im big on fantasy football, and would love to have my touch sittin there while watching the game, but its no use because i cant launch stat tracker, because its FLASH!....god i really do think apple dropped the ball with the flash thing....

this is very disappointing.

i want to buy an itouch for the sole purpose of checking fantasy football out at the sports bar, ive been told that it can work with stat tracker, what gives?

[wmurch4]

can't you use an app store program for that?

[rootbeersoup]

can't you use an app store program for that?

No, the most you can do is track player's stats. Yahoo's stattracker gives you the score of the matchup, along with the player's stats... Not to mention stattracker automatically updates the list of players, whereas an app, you would have to edit them yourself

[psikey]

Doesn't this confirm its nearly here:

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/09/30/adobe_flash_player_for_iphone_due_soon_if_apple_ap proves.html

[kornchild2002]

Don't use Apple Insider links if you are wanting to prove or confirm information. That website is notorious for reporting rumors as facts and they like to take stories that have been confirmed and add more rumor into them. It has been confirmed that Adobe is working on a Flash player for the iPhone but they aren't working on it with Apple. Apple has stated in the past that they started development of a iPhone/iPod touch Flash app but then saw how terrible the battery life was. So Apple stopped development and left it solely up to Adobe. Adobe can still release the App with Apple's approval but Apple won't have anything to do with the development part.

So it looks like all we have to do is wait for an official Adobe (but not Apple) release. Don't be surprised if the iPod touch only lasts 1-1.5 hours on a single charge when browsing flash heavy websites.

[rootbeersoup]

Don't use Apple Insider links if you are wanting to prove or confirm information. That website is notorious for reporting rumors as facts and they like to take stories that have been confirmed and add more rumor into them. It has been confirmed that Adobe is working on a Flash player for the iPhone but they aren't working on it with Apple. Apple has stated in the past that they started development of a iPhone/iPod touch Flash app but then saw how terrible the battery life was. So Apple stopped development and left it solely up to Adobe. Adobe can still release the App with Apple's approval but Apple won't have anything to do with the development part.

So it looks like all we have to do is wait for an official Adobe (but not Apple) release. Don't be surprised if the iPod touch only lasts 1-1.5 hours on a single charge when browsing flash heavy websites.

How exactly would that even work? A separate app that's a web browser? I doubt apple would like that.

Or can apps work with other apps?

I'm just not sure how that all works

[kornchild2002]

Apps can work with other Apps. So Adobe would release the download through the App Store (it would be an optional download and it might come with a price) and it would integrate itself with Safari. There would likely be an option in Safari where one can enable Flash just like enabling Java in Safari (Java is not Apple's technology, it belongs to Sun Micro Systems).

Again, this is pure speculation as nothing is known about what Adobe is doing other than the following:
1. Apple already tried it and has abandoned it.
2. Adobe is the sole developer.
3. Adobe is currently working on it for the iPhone.
4. The battery performance of the iPhone will drastically be reduced when browsing websites when using either wi-fi or 3G/EDGE.

We do not know how it will operate, if it will even work with the iPod touch, how much it will cost, or anything of that nature.

[rootbeersoup]

Apps can work with other Apps. So Adobe would release the download through the App Store (it would be an optional download and it might come with a price) and it would integrate itself with Safari. There would likely be an option in Safari where one can enable Flash just like enabling Java in Safari (Java is not Apple's technology, it belongs to Sun Micro Systems).

Again, this is pure speculation as nothing is known about what Adobe is doing other than the following:
1. Apple already tried it and has abandoned it.
2. Adobe is the sole developer.
3. Adobe is currently working on it for the iPhone.
4. The battery performance of the iPhone will drastically be reduced when browsing websites when using either wi-fi or 3G/EDGE.

We do not know how it will operate, if it will even work with the iPod touch, how much it will cost, or anything of that nature.

Wow I'd be surprised if they charged for it, and why would it not work with the iPod touch as well? Kinda silly to just develop it for iPhone.

Hopefully it comes out, and is offered as an option... I know I would definitely only use mine when I'm purposely going to a site for its flash content

One MAJOR reason I don't like it is that battery life will be sucked out more because you're viewing a page with flash ads that you don't even want to see. And that truly sucks.

[seven macaw]

Skyfire, a browser app for Windows Mobile, supports Flash 9 & Ajax. I have it on my Win Mo. phone and it doesn't kill the battery...

It's entirely functional with regard to controls and practical with regard to battery life.

[kornchild2002]

I don't have that browser on my HP iPaq Pocket PC but I do have a Flash plug-in and it does kill the battery. Apple also said that battery performance was drastically reduced. Your phone might be different but my Pocket PC runs hardware that is very similar to the iPod touch and it even lasts for 3.5 hours when browsing the internet using wi-fi (I get the same battery life when browsing the internet on my iPod touch). It is drastically reduced when I browse Flash heavy websites such as IGN. My Pocket PC will normally get about 1.5 hours on a single charge. So if my Pocket PC's battery performance is drastically reduced and Apple themselves even says that it is reduced (who would know better than Apple?), I am inclined to believe that battery life will be reduced.

I am not calling you a liar or anything as your phone can use different hardware. Also keep in mind that your phone is more than likely browsing the internet using either EDGE or 3G, that is something that doesn't use as much power as wi-fi. It also appears that Skyfire translates Flash content to something that your mobile device can read, it doesn't directly show flash content. Then again, I could be incorrectly reading information about their browser.

[iTouchWoo]

Dude. The iPod touch and the iPhone come standard with the YouTube app. Use that..

[ReyZero]

Dude. The iPod touch and the iPhone come standard with the YouTube app. Use that..

1) YouTube on the iPhone isn't flash based
2) What about Hulu/Fox/Family Guy/House/South Park - that's why we want flash

I would also like to go to websites like NVIDIA and not get giant error blocks because their site is flash based

[Dansm]

Anyone who says it's a hardware issue is either on the payroll or just a comedian. You know king Steve would never let an alternate to the app store on the iPhone / iPod. Too much of a control freak (love the iPod/iphone but would never use a mac for that reason)

[kornchild2002]

I am glad that an iPhone developer has chimed in and made a comment saying that it has nothing to do with the hardware. Look, Flash on portable devices just isn't power efficient. Hell, my 10.5 hour rated netbook easily gets reduced to 3-4 hours of internet browsing when looking at Flash heavy websites and it uses a 1.66GHz Atom processor with 2GB of RAM.

Sure, the iPod touch can run Adobe Flash without stuttering but battery life would take a drastic hit. The 1G iPod touch was barely able to get 3 hours of wi-fi surfing on a single charge. That would be reduced to about 30-45 minutes of usage. The 2G iPod touch would take the same type of hit. Hell, even the iPhone 3G S would take a huge hit in terms of battery life and it has better hardware. Flash just isn't efficient and portable devices would struggle to get even half of their advertised battery playback times. Even dedicated hardware (such as Nvidia's ION platform) eats up a bunch of juice when decoding Flash content.