Adobe Should Cut its iPhone Losses and Target Flash at Carriers
The ongoing spat between Apple and Adobe over the former’s refusal to support the latter’s Flash technology on its iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch devices had us thinking. Telecoms service providers the world over are concerned about the twin challenges of vendor-controlled, vertically-integrated device offerings and their own ability to offer viable, cutting-edge alternatives. With that in mind, they could do worse than to seek an industry-wide partnership with Adobe to use Flash as the basis of their own multi-screen device, development, delivery, and distribution systems. This move would also provide them with the developer leverage to stand its ground against all comers.
Executive summary
In a nutshell
Ovum view
Understanding the Apple-Adobe dispute
War of words obscures real issues
Apple and Adobe are vying for multi-screen ecosystems
Device-centric platforms threaten Adobe’s wellbeing
Adobe needs to find new supporters
Flash and the service provider opportunity
Adobe and carriers are faced with similar threats…
… and share similar goals
Which is where Flash comes in
Twelve Flash attributes that merit carrier attention
Flash would help carriers gain developer respect
Possible next steps for Adobe and service providers
In a nutshell
Ovum view
Understanding the Apple-Adobe dispute
War of words obscures real issues
Apple and Adobe are vying for multi-screen ecosystems
Device-centric platforms threaten Adobe’s wellbeing
Adobe needs to find new supporters
Flash and the service provider opportunity
Adobe and carriers are faced with similar threats…
… and share similar goals
Which is where Flash comes in
Twelve Flash attributes that merit carrier attention
Flash would help carriers gain developer respect
Possible next steps for Adobe and service providers
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Apple’s reasons for not supporting Flash and their relevance for developers
Table 2: Multi-screen platform plans of major MDP vendors and attitudes to Flash
Table 3: Selected membership and support for cross-platform application frameworks (carriers first)
Table 1: Apple’s reasons for not supporting Flash and their relevance for developers
Table 2: Multi-screen platform plans of major MDP vendors and attitudes to Flash
Table 3: Selected membership and support for cross-platform application frameworks (carriers first)
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Smartphone platforms market share forecast
Figure 1: Smartphone platforms market share forecast
