At the Adobe MAX developer’s conference yesterday, Adobe showed off their latest Flash player, one that works on both Windows Mobile phones as well as the new Android-based phone, the T-Mobile G1.
“We are excited to be working alongside Adobe to bring Flash technology to Android,” said Andy Rubin, director of mobile platforms at Google. “Adobe Flash is crucial to a rich Internet and content experience on mobile devices and we are thrilled that Google will be one of the first companies along with the Open Handset Alliance to bring Flash technology to the smartphone market.”
Notably absent from the presentation was the popular Apple smartphone, the iPhone. Although Adobe has said they have a Flash player that will work on the iPhone OS, Apple’s strict TOS will not allow it into the App Store. I mean, why would Apple let consumers play free Flash based games or watch movies from sites like Hulu when they can instead be locked into iTunes, the App Store and other Apple run platforms?
Adobe notes that 98 percent of computers have Flash installed, and it is becoming crucial to have it to enjoy the Internet. That is of course, unless you own an iPhone.
Result for: itunes
According to Crunchgear, Apple has begun building HDCP (High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection) into their new MacBooks in order to protect iTunes Store purchased media.
Although most content are not protected, there are some newer videos that are and will not play at all unless you have connected an HDCP compliant TV or monitor.
Users trying to connect to a TV via HDMI or DVI should be fine, but users with VGA or component/composite ports only may have issues.
To understand more about what exactly HDCP is, please read our glossary entry here: High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection.
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Result for: itunes
BBC Worldwide has announced it has struck a deal with Apple that will allow users in the UK to download a few top BBC shows from the popular iTunes platform.
Each show will cost 1.89 pounds (about $3.70 USD) and will include such popular shows as “Torchwood,” “Life on Mars” and “Spooks”. Users can then watch the show on their computers, on TV via the Apple TV device or on Apple handhelds.
The new deal follows in the BBC’s strategy to make its shows available for download after they have aired and the deal marks the first for a British broadcaster.
The downloads are available for free on BBC’s own iPlayer for 30 days after they air and then will be available for purchase on iTunes.
“We want to give audiences a wide variety of options on how and where to view their favorite BBC shows,” said Simon Danker, director of digital media at BBC Worldwide.
“With more people now choosing to watch TV shows on their iPods, fans of series such as ‘The Mighty Boosh’ and ‘The Catherine Tate Show’ can now enjoy those shows wherever they are.”
Apple VP Eddy Cue added that he believes the shows will be popular. “Television programming has been incredibly popular with iTunes customers in the U.K.,” said Cue. “We’re thrilled to add hit programming from the BBC with favorites including the latest ratings winner, ‘Ashes to Ashes.’”
