By JD Hillen
There is a lot of hubbub about HTML5 taking over Flash as the “must use” technology for developing interactive web and mobile applications. And like any debate, there are just as many arguments that support the claim as there are to refute it.
The term HTML5 has been turned into a media buzzword as the magic-bullet solution for cross platform development. Most of the controversy stems from statements made by Apple and more importantly Steve Jobs himself. But good ol’ Steve has hated the Flash platform for as long as it has been around. Why? Because Adobe and Apple are in direct competition with one another. It’s like McDonalds vs. Burger King... Coke vs. Pepsi... Adobe and Apple are no different.
While virtually being blocked from running on Apple’s mobile devices, Adobe has rolled with the punches. Where most companies would have rolled over, Adobe went ahead and created some amazing tools that make cross-browser and cross-mobile development extremely easy and cost effective, all through the Flash platform (Flash Builder 4.5 & Flash CS5.5 both allow you to develop on Flash / Flex / or AIR and then compile your project out for mobile, desktop, and web.)
In addition to some smart dev tools, Adobe has partnered directly with Google as well as Facebook to bring the best Flash experience possible to the web and mobile devices. Point is, I don’t think Flash is going away anytime soon.
HTML5 may be the “greatest” according to some, but in reality, it is just another technology like JavaScript, PHP or .NET that can be added to our development arsenal.
As creative technologists, our job is to recognize problems and use the best technology solutions available. HTML 5 might be new, but it doesn’t make Flash defunct or not a valid option for many, many of our projects. Here are a few links that show HTML5 browser support, Browser usage stats, and Flash Player market penetration. HTML5 & CSS3 Support - http://bit.ly/qx65NC
Browser Usage Statistics - http://bit.ly/rsq5Hi
Flash Player Market Penetration - http://adobe.ly/rsx1dm
JD Hillen
|Creative Technologist
