Adobe releases Flash-to-HTML5 conversion tool to support Apple's iOS
Adobe's newly released "Wallaby" application aims to expand support for Apple's line of iOS devices, including the iPhone and iPad, by converting Flash files into HTML5.
The new application available from Adobe Labs carries a codename and is dubbed "experimental technology." It converts artwork and animation contained in Adobe Flash Professional files with the ".fla" extension into an HTML format that can be opened on the mobile Safari Web browser on iOS devices.
"This allows you to reuse and extend the reach of your content to devices that do not support the Flash runtimes," Adobe wrote.
Once Flash files are converted to HTML, they can be edited with an HTML editing tool, or by hand. Content can then be viewed on a supported browser like Apple's Safari.
Adobe noted that not all Flash Pro features are supported in the HTML5 format, like 3D transforms, ActionScript, streaming sound, and embedded or external video. Supported features include images, layers, scenes, font embedding and FrameSets.
Wallaby is best used with Apple's iOS 4.2, as previous versions of the mobile operating system have known masking issues with HTML files converted from Flash. Remaining issues, Adobe says, are a result of a bug in the mobile Safari browser, and include artifacts when zooming and borders around masked artwork.
The lack of support for Adobe Flash on the iOS platform has been a major point of contention between Adobe and Apple. The debate came to a head last year, when Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs penned an open letter in which he slammed Flash as technology unfit for the modern era of low-power touchscreen computing devices like the iPhone and iPad.
Apple even went as far as to stop shipping Macs with Flash preinstalled, claiming the change ensures that users will install the latest version of the software for enhanced security and performance. But tests also found that the removal of Flash from the new MacBook Air boosted battery life by two hours.
As an alternative to Flash, Apple has pushed the HTML5 standard for its mobile devices, as it does not require any special plugins for a browser. Flash was also touted as a major feature of the new Motorola Xoom tablet, though the hardware shipped last month lacking support for Adobe's plugin.
The new application available from Adobe Labs carries a codename and is dubbed "experimental technology." It converts artwork and animation contained in Adobe Flash Professional files with the ".fla" extension into an HTML format that can be opened on the mobile Safari Web browser on iOS devices.
"This allows you to reuse and extend the reach of your content to devices that do not support the Flash runtimes," Adobe wrote.
Once Flash files are converted to HTML, they can be edited with an HTML editing tool, or by hand. Content can then be viewed on a supported browser like Apple's Safari.
Adobe noted that not all Flash Pro features are supported in the HTML5 format, like 3D transforms, ActionScript, streaming sound, and embedded or external video. Supported features include images, layers, scenes, font embedding and FrameSets.
Wallaby is best used with Apple's iOS 4.2, as previous versions of the mobile operating system have known masking issues with HTML files converted from Flash. Remaining issues, Adobe says, are a result of a bug in the mobile Safari browser, and include artifacts when zooming and borders around masked artwork.
The lack of support for Adobe Flash on the iOS platform has been a major point of contention between Adobe and Apple. The debate came to a head last year, when Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs penned an open letter in which he slammed Flash as technology unfit for the modern era of low-power touchscreen computing devices like the iPhone and iPad.
Apple even went as far as to stop shipping Macs with Flash preinstalled, claiming the change ensures that users will install the latest version of the software for enhanced security and performance. But tests also found that the removal of Flash from the new MacBook Air boosted battery life by two hours.
As an alternative to Flash, Apple has pushed the HTML5 standard for its mobile devices, as it does not require any special plugins for a browser. Flash was also touted as a major feature of the new Motorola Xoom tablet, though the hardware shipped last month lacking support for Adobe's plugin.
Comments
Adobe noted that not all Flash Pro features are supported in the HTML5 format, like 3D transforms, ActionScript, streaming sound, and embedded or external video. Supported features include images, layers, scenes, font embedding and FrameSets.
In other words, "enough for annoying full-page Flash rollover ads."
Can't wait to see those on my iPhone, I'm sure that will enhance the mobile browsing experience.
In other words, "enough for annoying full-page Flash rollover ads."
Can't wait to see those on my iPhone, I'm sure that will enhance the mobile browsing experience.
That's the danger of getting what you wish for. So many people on here have been clamoring for the death of Flash. But the advertisers aren't going to give up so instead of using a plug-in that can be disabled, you'll be stuck with HTML5 ads that can't be disabled.
Isn't progress wonderful?
and feature list.... it converts anything that was done with macromedia future splash. YAY!
adobe kicking and screaming moves to html 5
crumble tumble, 10 years and waiting as they bumble
Seeing as how Action Script doesn't carry over... it makes this pretty much pointless, as every time I've designed a flash piece on a site I've USED ACTION SCRIPT to make damn near anything happen. Back to the drawing board Adobe.
yes, w/o AS support, that is a joke! I think, that is maybe a trick of Adobe, cause there is so few support for real cover, so they could say, you see, there is so few developer like cover their FLASH to HTML5, so iOS does not support FLASH is a incorrect choose....,
It's very funny to see that Apple, who used to refuse ported apps when a conversion tool was used, wants that people who spend time coding in Flash use their program, so that a lot of iOS users can enjoy all that content they couldn't see because of Apple's decision. If I were a Flash developer, I would never use that.
How is that a bad thing?
How is that a bad thing?
I misread the title of the post and read "apple releases" instead...
, or by hand. Content can then be viewed on a supported browser like Apple's Safari.
Adobe noted that not all Flash Pro features are supported in the HTML5 format, like 3D transforms, ActionScript, streaming sound, and embedded or external video. Supported features include images, layers, scenes, font embedding and FrameSets.
So with other words, nothing that makes Flash interresting will be supported. Why does Adobe bother to bring this tool out at all. I don't understand them anymore.
Adobe Is Wise!
For the most part they are annoying and lame. Confusing to navigate, stupid sounds and can't make text larger. Completely useless.
Flash can't die soon enough for me.
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Adobe noted that not all Flash Pro features are supported in the HTML5 format, like 3D transforms, ActionScript, streaming sound, and embedded or external video. Supported features include images, layers, scenes, font embedding and FrameSets.
Hmm... If only there were a vendor neutral HTML5 tag that supported <video> and <audio> natively...
That's the danger of getting what you wish for. So many people on here have been clamoring for the death of Flash. But the advertisers aren't going to give up so instead of using a plug-in that can be disabled, you'll be stuck with HTML5 ads that can't be disabled.
Isn't progress wonderful?
You forgot the part in the progress where some hacker figures out how to create a html5 ad block.
As for the main article, I was rather hoping that Adobe would stick to their guns a while longer. I do hate Flash but was a little proud of them for having the balls to flip Jobs the finger. And I was really hoping they would make Flash work to shut up the naysayers. This just feels like Jobs was right along and they are too lazy to do it right so they are giving up.