First a little preface because I’ve got to give credit where it’s due. Steve Jobs and Apple have done a tremendous job of selling people over the last few years. Be it, the iPod, Macbook, or iPhone, somehow they always seem to get people to buy into their ideas and products no matter what. Even though the new Macbook Air has nowhere near the power or capability as other models in its price range, it’s still selling like hot cakes.
Adopting their own business model, Apple has pretty much done whatever they want. And for those partnered or associated with them? They either play ball or lose out. Much like Wal-Mart, if you don’t do what Apple asks, then you’re just skipped over and left behind. Ask yourself if you’d let them take the iPhone to the next carrier if you were AT&T. The problem that is arising from all of this is that Apple is getting to be a little bit too bossy. Let’s look at the situation with getting Flash on the iPhone and why it’s not likely to happen very soon.
Using the allegory of Goldilocks is the best way to equate what’s going on. The version of Flash that’s currently available is allegedly too weak to run well on the iPhone whereas the full-fledge version commonly used on PC’s and laptops supposedly uses too many resources. Steve and the other Apple cronies are essentially demanding that Adobe create a mama bear version for their device.
With the release of the iPhone SDK happening as I write this, it’s unlikely we’ll see any Flash apps or utilities coming soon. This raises another point – Apple has choked off development before it was even available to other companies. See, if you create an application for the iPhone, Apple gets to decide whether or not it will even make to iPhones or iPod Touches. Let’s just assume they give your program the okay though. The only place for people to access it is through iTunes. That’s right, you can’t pick your price or method of distribution. They’ve become the rude bouncer at your favorite night club. “You wanna get in? You’ll have to come through me.” Of course if you are a part of a larger company, you’ll stand a better chance.
And that is exactly where the freely available open-source developer kit for Google Android shines. The club’s open all night long and the drinks are free.
