Will the internet conform to the device or vice versa?

Apple’s got a new page up highlighting “iPad Ready” websites.  With the existence of HTML5 video enabled in some browsers, and Apple’s lack of flash support, it appears that they want to tout the “correctness” of being iPad ready.

Has Apple previously had an “is your site iPhone ready” website?  I don’t remember one. It appears that their game plan is to get everyone to conform to their artificial limitation, rather than to partner up with Adobe, who has been working very hard to to optimize  Flash to support Apple devices.

We shall see, but let’s keep this in mind. HTML5 and Javascript can do things that Flash can do. But not everything as well, and NOT as easily. An interactive designer can use flash drawing tools and the timeline and create an experience with motion, sound and integrated media elements. Some programming required, but one doesn’t have to be a programmer  to accomplish this. Flash gives non-programmers this ability. And the swf file format is open for other vendors and free software to generate this too.

We have yet to see a visual editor or timeline for creating these experiences in Javascript.  So the web visitors using iPads will still miss things like interactive games and programs even if all of our video is delivered using HTML5.

I personally like many of the interactive possibilities with Flash and video, clickable regions, playlists. There are tools that do this well in Flash.  Why not let us choose if we want to put Flash or anything else in the browser Apple?

Some of us know the answer. It’s not because of memory issues. It’s because Flash can do a lot that can disrupt Apple  app sales. Entire graphic editors and word processors have been made in Flash, and too many other cool things to count or mention.  Having Flash makes the App store less interesting to buy from. That is the sad fact.  The iPad is great and will do well. But this limitation is kinda big and disappointing for many site owners who have been able to use flash to deliver special cross platform experiences.

Site owners and visitors will lose out some. And this might mean that another tablet becomes more popular.

Here’s the trouble. I REALLY like that smaller programming teams and individuals have been able to capitalize on their skill and sales of apps at the app store. Many of us appreciate that single use applications for mobile are important and have made our lives easier or more fun. I especially like the image of a lone programmer getting what s/he deserves from profits out of the app store.

However, that doesn’t mean we need to pretend technology doesn’t exist just to make them better. We’re still getting programs created in a closed system (iPhone code) with strict developer agreements. Adobe doesn’t care who gets what Flash program to run where and how. It’s open and it’s not subject to restricted app store approval.  Sure they sell their Flash developer tools and they cost money. But I can also generate a Flash slideshow from OpenOffice, or one out of many other programs and your iPad can’t see it or use it.  That’s too bad.