The End of Flash on iOS: Adobe Abandons Translation Tools

In a surprising turn of events, Adobe has announced that it will no longer develop translation tools for Creative Suite that enable developers to create applications for Apple's iPhone and iPad devices. This decision marks a significant change in Adobe's stance, as the company had previously committed to helping Flash work on these gadgets.

The move comes after Apple revised its terms and conditions for software developers earlier this year, placing strict restrictions on what technologies can be used to create apps for iOS devices. The revised terms effectively banned the use of code translators like Creative Suite 5, which Adobe released in mid-April.

In a blog post, Mike Chambers, Adobe's principal product manager for developer relations, explained that the company is not planning any additional investments in developing tools for iOS devices. However, Flash CS5 will still be able to target the iPhone and iPad, allowing developers to create apps that run on these platforms using other methods.

The news has sparked criticism from many iPhone developers, who were looking forward to creating applications that could leverage Flash's capabilities. Flash is a widely used technology on the web, powering animations, media players, and other multimedia elements on numerous websites.

Despite its popularity, Apple has been critical of Flash, stating that it poses security risks and drains battery life. The company's products do not support Flash natively, instead opting for alternative technologies like HTML5.

In a surprising move, Adobe has now aligned itself with Google and Android, which have traditionally supported Flash. However, this shift in strategy may impact the future of Flash on mobile devices, as developers may opt for alternative technologies that are more compatible with iOS devices.

Overall, the decision to halt development of translation tools for Creative Suite marks a significant change in Adobe's approach to developing software for Apple's platforms. As the company continues to evolve its strategy, it remains to be seen how this will impact the future of Flash on mobile devices.

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