Apple and Adobe Flash

So, why doesn’t Apple offer Adobe Flash on its iPhones and iPod touches, what with Adobe Flash being the most used video format on the Web? While Flash has always been popular, its recent massive explosion comes from its use on YouTube, YouTube being far and away the biggest online video site. Is it a business or technology obstacle that stands between Apple and Adobe Flash?

Jack Gold, head of the J Gold & Associates consulting firm, says it’s a political decision, not a technical one. Apple sees Flash as a competitor to QuickTime, Gold says, so the support Apple offers is “ZERO.” On Macs it’s less of an issue because users can go to Adobe directly to download applications. But on the locked iPhone, users can’t. So don’t expect Flash on iPhones or iPod touches.