Latest Version of Flash to be Presented Today Despite Criticism from Steve Jobs

Adobe Systems (News - Alert) Inc. was expected today to introduce a new version of Flash software that the company says will allow video to run smoothly on mobile phones, Bloomberg News reported.

Many companies, with the glaring exception of Apple, are planning to support Flash Player 10.1 in their products. Nineteen of the 20 largest handset makers, including Motorola (News - Alert) Inc., expect to sell devices running the software. Bloomberg reported that smartphones, tablets and netbooks featuring Google's Android mobile operating system will be among the first to use Flash 10.1.

But Apple CEO Steve Jobs has dismissed the value of Flash and doesn't want it to be supported on his company's products, such as the iPad, iPhone (News - Alert) and iPod touch.

In an open letter published last month, Jobs said, "Flash was created during the PC era - for PCs and mice. Flash is a successful business for Adobe, and we can understand why they want to push it beyond PCs. But the mobile era is about low power devices, touch interfaces and open web standards - all areas where Flash falls short."

"The avalanche of media outlets offering their content for Apple's (News - Alert) mobile devices demonstrates that Flash is no longer necessary to watch video or consume any kind of web content," Jobs added.

In response, Adobe co-founders Chuck Geschke and John Warnock, posted their own statement criticizing Apple and defending open markets.

"When markets are open, anyone with a great idea has a chance to drive innovation and find new customers,' they wrote, adding that Apple's 'opposite approach' could undermine a future in which mobile devices outnumber traditional computers on the Internet.

Brushing the feud with Apple aside, Adobe is highlighting the features on Flash 10.1 such as:

*  Web browsing of expressive applications, content and high definition videos across devices.

* Easily updateable across all supported platforms.

* Browser-based runtime uses the Graphics Processing Unit for accelerated video and graphics while conserving battery life.

* Mobile-ready features include support for multi-touch, gestures, accelerometer and screen orientation.

Flash Player 10.1 also has HTTP streaming, including integration of content protection powered by Flash Access 2.0.

Adobe has said that there will be an "open format" based on industry standards and will provide content publishers, distributors and partners the tools they need to utilize HTTP infrastructures for media delivery in Flash Player 10.1 and Adobe AIR 2.0 software. Led by Adobe, the Open Screen Project includes close to 50 industry leaders working to provide a consistent runtime environment across mobile phones, desktops and other consumer electronic devices.

Adobe points out that Flash 10 was installed on more than 93 percent of computers in the first ten months after its release.

In a related matter, it was reported on TMCnet that Flash 10.1 adds support for RTMFP Groups. It enables clients to easily communicate with other clients in a network in order to share the transport of media and communications without maintaining a connection to every peer in the group.