iPhone already has Flash, just not in Safari

Hiding in the App Store

5 October 2009 22:14 GMT / By Stuart Miles

The Apple iPhone already has six Flash based applications available to download via the App Store, Adobe has said.

The news, which might come as a surprise to Apple, has been possible through a new authoring package from the company that is more famous for its Photoshop line of products.

"The next version of Flash Authoring will enable developers to create stand-alone iPhone applications using Flash technologies", says Adobe in a blog post.

Although stressing that doesn't mean the iPhone is about to play internet video or adverts on the sites you currently visit, it should open up the possibility of more Flash based applications in the App Store.

Currently, in private beta, the company is hoping to invite in more developers by the end of the year in a public offering.

iPhone owners looking to try out Flash on the iPhone will be able to download either: That Roach Game, Just Letters, Chroma Circuit, Fickleblox, Red Hood, and Trading Stuff from the App Store right now.

"One thing that I really want to stress though, is that developing for the iPhone is mobile/device development. The iPhone has a significantly slower processor and less memory than what can be found in a typical desktop computer", said Mike Chambers at Adobe.

Earlier on Monday, Adobe announced a number of deals with manufacturers of almost all the world's major smartphones. It's done deals with RIM (who produce the BlackBerry handsets), Symbian, Windows Mobile, Palm, and Google.

Adobe has said that it is still working on creating an Adobe Flash plug-in for the Safari browser, something that isn't currently available.

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