AfterDawn: News

Apple allowing Flash-based apps into the App Store

In a surprise about-face, Apple has loosened up on the restrictions in their App Store Review Guidelines, allowing for games and apps based on Adobe Flash technology to be submitted to the iPhone/iTouch/iPad App Store.

While the decision is certainly a move in the right direction, users of "i" devices will still not be able to view Flash videos while browsing the Web, however.



Reads the statement from Apple: "We are continually trying to make the App Store even better. We have listened to our developers and taken much of their feedback to heart. Based on their input, today we are making some important changes to our iOS Developer Program license in sections 3.3.1, 3.3.2 and 3.3.9 to relax some restrictions we put in place earlier this year."

"In particular, we are relaxing all restrictions on the development tools used to create iOS apps, as long as the resulting apps do not download any code. This should give developers the flexibility they want, while preserving the security we need."

Apple's newly launched "GameCenter" will likely now be flooded with Flash-based games, and Apple's mobile advertisers are likely very excited at the prospect of being able to use Flash, as well.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 9 Sep 2010 12:39

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• 18 comments

• biglo30

  I guess they are trying to turn over a new leaf.

  9.9.2010 12:42 #1

• Mysttic

  No they want an excuse to make more $

  9.9.2010 13:47 #2

• Hyasuma

  apple will always be crapples~

  9.9.2010 14:55 #3

• ST2006

  Looks like the Android beatdown has started to take its toll!!!
  

  SmokeThis2006

  9.9.2010 15:30 #4

• Amak

  Sorry Apple, but you can't grow back the foot you shot off. Try getting your head out of your ass and maybe you can get something right.
  

  9.9.2010 18:02 #5

• mike.m

  What was that you said about Flash, Steve Jobs??
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgAA-sGG_pk

  9.9.2010 18:21 #6

• borhan9

  This is some progress for the developers and is a move in the right direction. However how are they going to police developers not being able to download code. Thats the question unanswered.

  9.9.2010 19:16 #7

• xnonsuchx

  It's not really ADDING Flash, it's allowing developers to more easily port Flash-based 'apps' for use on iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch.

  9.9.2010 21:47 #8

• KillerBug

  They are only against flash when it is free...if they can charge for it, then they have no problem with it.

  9.9.2010 23:18 #9

• SomeBozo

  I'm not much of an Apple fan by far. While i can completely understand why they banned flash, for me the main reason would be security. I use to work at a large software company (i'm certain most here use their stuff...) when we had a huge security push we investigated security holes and Flash had a number that were uncovered, fair enough we all did. The problem i had with Flash when notified of the security flaws, there attitude was oh well, not our problem. A completely irresponsible and idiotic response, i will do everything to avoid flash as well as a few other companies that all had the same reaction. Hope HTML 5 gets out soon :)
  
  

  9.9.2010 23:50 #10

• Jemborg

  I too look forward to HTML5 I'm sick of streamed video looking so crappy.
  
  Still Flash is a reality we have to put up with for the mo.
  
  Three reasons for Crapples change of heart I reckon:
  1) Head off lawsuits
  2) Loss of sales to Android
  3) Mo mon ~ like KB said.
  
  
  

  Its a lot easier being righteous than right.
  
  
  

  10.9.2010 04:43 #11

• KillerBug

  Sure, flash isn't perfect, but it is still reality. HTML5 hasn't even been finalized...and at the rate things are going, it will be fragmented into about a dozen competing (and non-compatible) formats before too long. On top of that, the "open source" that we were promised is quickly being replaced with proprietary code that isn't as good as the open source stuff.
  
  ...So bash flash if you want to, but remember that HTML5 isn't even ready yet, and when/if it is finalized, it will be at least as closed as flash, if not more so. Also, there is no reason to assume that it will be secure...in fact, if Safari browser is any indication, it will make a windows 98 PC with IE4 seem secure by comparison.

  10.9.2010 04:55 #12

• Jemborg

  Originally posted by KillerBug: Sure, flash isn't perfect, but it is still reality. HTML5 hasn't even been finalized...and at the rate things are going, it will be fragmented into about a dozen competing (and non-compatible) formats before too long. On top of that, the "open source" that we were promised is quickly being replaced with proprietary code that isn't as good as the open source stuff.
  
  ...So bash flash if you want to, but remember that HTML5 isn't even ready yet, and when/if it is finalized, it will be at least as closed as flash, if not more so. Also, there is no reason to assume that it will be secure...in fact, if Safari browser is any indication, it will make a windows 98 PC with IE4 seem secure by comparison. Really? <sigh> I was hoping for something better.
  

  Its a lot easier being righteous than right.
  
  
  

  10.9.2010 05:08 #13

• SomeBozo

  I for one consider HTML 5 will be better in the end being built up from an open standard not owned and controlled by one company's whims. Especially when the one company that controls it has no concern about people's security will be far better. I put more confidence in Firefox, Google's Chome in MS's internot exploder to get workable and secure browsers. And from that perspective there is more than one browser and competition forcing each browser creator to come up with a secure working browser. Flash is not open, and controlled by one company who from a historical perspective give little concern to security...
  
  XML, its use and popularity i think is a great example of an open standard. I can care less if you're in the PC, Apple, mainframe camp for computers, XML is so indigenous i don't think the internet and computers would be where they are today without xml. Open standards will drive and force the creation of goodness. Hmmm, a wild thought that seems relevant, would you rather have a open society or a dictatorship like Germany in the 30 & 40's?
  
  
  

  10.9.2010 12:05 #14

• kikzm33z

  It won't be long until there will be a fully-working flash-enabling software for the iPod coming.
  
  Thanks to jailbreaking. There's already Frash - no doubt someone will pick up on that and make it fully work on the iPod.
  

  10.9.2010 14:59 #15

• H0bbes

  Originally posted by Amak: Sorry Apple, but you can't grow back the foot you shot off. Try getting your head out of your ass and maybe you can get something right. BAHAHA!! My thoughts exactly.
  

  "It’s as if McGruff the Crime Dog snuck into our basement, enlisted an army of cellar rats to eat up all of our cheese, and then burned the house down when we finally locked him out – instead of just knocking on the front door to tell us the window was open." ~Revision3 CEO Jim Louderback

  10.9.2010 21:05 #16

• KillerBug

  Open standards are great...but it is hard to charge for them...so no one with any power will try to push them.

  11.9.2010 00:37 #17

• SomeBozo

  Originally posted by KillerBug: Open standards are great...but it is hard to charge for them...so no one with any power will try to push them. Didn't take long for yet another security hole in Flash to be exposed...
  
  
  Afterdawn's own report...
  
  http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cf...ffected_as_well
  

  12.9.2010 17:06 #18