Adobe Edge Dives Into iPad and iPhones 'No Flash' Platform

The latest announcement by Adobe to work with HTML 5 with its new motion graphics software called Edge could open new doors for cross browser and mobile device compatibility. The popularity of HTML 5 continues its rise due to its compatibility with major web browsers, W3C specification, and support from Apple and Microsoft.

Adobe recognizes this and decided to embrace it rather than compete. That can especially hold true to Adobe's entry into Apple mobile devices such as the iPhone and iPad which supports HTML 5. Apple has strongly stated that their developers are encouraged to stray away from creating apps for Adobe's closed cross platform plug ins.

Apple's CEO Steve Jobs has welcomed the idea of Flash being integrated into their iOS. Jobs stated his decision last year in an open letter that Flash is a closed system and Apple sees some technological issues because everything is controlled through Adobe.

Edge will look to debunk those claims as Adobe took its first steps to walk side by side with HTML 5, who they have viewed as a competitor to Flash. Users can begin to witness an open system as Edge utilizes WebKit, an open source web browser engine, to run through the Edge software.

The open source approach could open doors into iPhone and iPad devices, allowing for less clunky motion graphics and consistency across all platforms. Adobe Edge software can handle code production for mobile browsers in both the Android and iOS systems. Flash currently runs on Android phones and nearly all web browsers, but users are discovering that motion graphic effects can be achieved through other methods.

Adobe's Edge software could take interactive graphics on Apple mobile devices to a new level. Apple iPads and iPhones may no longer need Flash support on iOS devices from other third parties. Current companies such as Mobixell Networks offer server adaptation of Adobe Flash and allow Apple users to view Flash animation on websites without installing an app.

Another company, iSwifter, released its software to allow iOS users to play Flash games on their devices without installing Adobe's plug in. The service also processes Flash onto their servers, then runs it through the app onto an iPad tablet or Mac OS user. The majority of Flash use through iSwifter has been for Zynga games played on Facebook.

Since Adobe introduced Flash 10 years ago, the company stood as the only major player in supporting interactive and animation graphics on the web. As time and technology progressed, the rising of HTML 5 has stirred up a battle between open source with closed proprietary technology within Adobe's Flash.

Adobe Edge users can expect to see a familiar user interface found on After Effects and Flash. The tool's snappy performance along with a built in WebKit browser will allow users to create interactive graphics through HTML elements styled with CSS 3. Adobe has also been a code contributor into the HTML 5 open source WebKit project in exploring ways for co-inhabitance.

The new Edge software could be Adobe's ticket to having the best of both worlds. Plans for Adobe Flash include maintaining technology to support gaming, powerful online video features, and apps. Adobe's Edge, for now, can explore code production for mobile browsers in Apple's iOS and Google's Android. Developers looking to give it a try can download a free version from the Adobe Labs.