Adobe will no longer update its Flash plugin for mobile browsers, though it will continue to issue security updates and bug fixes. The company issued a statement to developers conceding that "HTML5 is now universally supported on major mobile devices, in some cases exclusively," adding "that makes HTML5 the best solution for creating and deploying content in the browser across mobile platforms." This is a stark about-face for the company, which has heretofore vehemently defended Flash for mobile devices, and spent years attempting to optimize the software for better performance on lower powered systems. We're following the news as it happens, so read along in the stories below.
Flash for Android dies today, long live the 'full web experience'
In November of last year, Adobe made a surprising about-face on its popular Flash plugin, announcing that it would stop development of Flash for mobile devices. Tomorrow, Adobe will disable new installs of Flash on Android, effectively cutting it off from the future of the mobile web — despite the company's promise in the past that Flash would enable the "full web experience" on mobile devices
Flash won't be supported in Android 4.1, new installs to be disabled on August 15th
Adobe has announced that Flash will not be supported on Android 4.1.
Adobe releases Flash roadmap, narrows focus to gaming and 'premium' video
Adobe swallowed a lot of pride in conceding defeat and abandoning development of Flash Player on mobile devices last year, but that doesn't mean the company is ready to completely give up on its still ubiquitous rich media web format.
Chrome for Android won't support Flash, Adobe confirms
Adobe has reiterated its position to stop developing Flash Player for mobile browsing, confirming that Chrome for Android will not support Flash.
Adobe updates Flash for Android 4, Galaxy Nexus owners can use it now
Adobe has updates its mobile Flash player for Android, adding compatibility with Google's lastest operating system, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.
Ice Cream Sandwich lacks Flash support, will have it eventually
Google's Ice Cream Sandwich operating system comes without Flash support. The Flash Player needs to be updated for Ice Cream Sandwich, which Google expects Adobe to do even though the latter company recently halted feature updates for Flash on mobile devices.
Occupy Flash calls on users to remove Adobe's player from their computers
Adobe may have discontinued development of its Flash Player for mobile devices and hinted at backing away from Flash on the desktop, but an anonymous group calling itself Occupy Flash wants users to remove the multimedia player from their desktops now.
Adobe donates Flex SDK to Apache Software Foundation, moves further away from Flash
Adobe has announce that it's donating the Flash-based Flex SDK to the Apache Software Foundation, taking a step away from Flash on the desktop. It also reiterated its position that HTML5 is the future.
Adobe explains why it killed mobile Flash: it couldn't compete with HTML5
Adobe product manager Mike Chambers has provided some context to Adobe's decision to kill off the mobile Flash plug-in. He admitted that Flash "was not going to achieve the same ubiquity on mobile that it has on the desktop" and pointed out stiff competition from HTML5 on Apple's iOS devices as well as the difficulty of developing for multiple platforms.
Adobe releases final Flash plug-in for Android and PlayBook
The last official version of the Flash plug-in for mobile has been released on Android and the PlayBook.
Adobe ramping down Flash for TV as well
Adobe is giving up on Flash for televisions as well, dealing a short-term blow to Google TV
RIM to continue developing Flash browser plug-in for PlayBook
RIM will take over development of the Flash plug-in for its mobile browser on the PlayBook.
Adobe officially kills Flash Player for mobile, says HTML5 is 'the best solution'
Adobe just officially confirmed that it's killing Flash Player for Android and the BlackBerry Playbook.
Adobe to cease developing mobile Flash plugin for Android and PlayBook, says ZDNet
Adobe will no longer update its Flash plugin for mobile browsers, though it will continue to issue security updates and bug fixes.
