Ryan C. Miller.com - Social Media, Design, Tech, Commentary - broadcasting from Utica, NY

Notes on Flash - how Adobe can stop whining and take back the conversation

Posted on August 17, 2010 by MillerNo Comments

no Flash - get it?

I, like many other iPhone and iPad users am still disappointed that Flash still hasn’t made its way onto those devices. Yes, I’m aware of ‘Frash’ but the big thing that’s missing in that package is the ability to play Flash Video - which is really all I care about (#iwantowatchTheDailyShow).

But what I’m really sick of is the whining on both Apple and Adobe’s part. Apple complains that flash is a closed, antiquated system (see Jobs’ open letter - Thoughts on Flash), and Adobe complains that basically Apple is the one who is using a closed system and basically doesn’t support Flash out of a grudge - and they’re moving on.

Hey Adobe - have some faith in your users. It amazes me that Adobe has just thrown their arms up. If they believe so strongly in Flash’s need to be on iDevices - just build it. Build it as an app or a plugin. And let the market decide (I can’t believe I said that, being a bleeding heart liberal). As someone who helps develop websites and other web based solutions, the lack of even a public beta also makes me less likely to suggest anything Flash based to clients. I recognize how many flash-disabled devices there are out there and by giving up plans to develop a solution, Adobe also is not giving anyone an incentive to continue to use their technology.

Between the U.S. Copyright Office officially sanctioning jailbreaking your phone and the ease at which you can do so thanks to jailbreakme.com - there’s now nothing preventing you from (legally) getting your iPhone to run flash. Just Adobe (well, and a little bit of Apple).

There are also plenty of avenues for distribution via Cydia or Rock that could bring an official Adobe Flash plugin to millions of users, should they choose to install it. Hell, I (and I’m sure many others) would gladly fork over a few bucks for the privilage of having flash capability (especially on my iPad). For the first time, Adobe could actually make money by distributing what has traditionally been a free plugin.

So I guess this is my open letter to Adobe. Put your money and your devs where you mouth is. Don’t take your ball, whine and go home. Like any other business, if you build a product that kicks-ass people will download it - they’ll even tell their friends. Again, have faith in your community. If Adobe truly believes that they have a great product, they should stand behind it and let the community decide. Maybe if they build it, we will come….and download.

Blogging from 30,000 feet: Is Ustream’s Broadcaster App a gamechanger?

Posted on December 10, 2009 by Miller3 Comments

Vlingo and Tweetie Logos

Posted on January 16, 2009 by MillerNo Comments

Just by happenstance, I installed Tweetie as my new iPhone Twitter client and am first of all really happy with it. Then I noticed that the logos for both Vlingo and Tweetie look eerily similar in size, and shape. Anyone else notice this? Are they from the same developers or is this something more sinister?

Holy iPhone….

Posted on December 29, 2008 by MillerNo Comments

I’ve been waiting for months and months to get my hands on one of the iPhone 3Gs… I just couldn’t justify the monthly cost to myself….until now.  With the advent of the app store and all the articles I’ve been reading about the great things people are developing, I finally broke down and got one.  And I’m in love.

Here’s the thing.  For those of us who want to stay super connected, its the only tool to have.  But what I also like is that you’re in control of that connectivity via the amount and setup which apps you choose to run.

Here’s the point I really wanted to make though…  I truly believe that this platform (and future platforms like Android ((once it gets refined)) ) are really what’s going to make social networking and location based web services the next big thing.  I may even be a bit late on this one, but even with all the apps currently integrating web and GPS on a mobile platform, I think we’re just scratching the surface.

I also have found that web apps like Twitter and Google Reader, and Earth, almost perform better on the mobile platform than the desktop.  Twitter for sure as its so conducive to blasting out tweets as soon as they enter into your mind.  (I’ve also installed the Wordpress app but blogging just doesn’t work as well on that little keyboard).

Anyway, I’m a super happy camper right now and will certainly be blogging about how this platform gets integrated into my day to day, and rocks my world.