The Great Debate: HTML5 vs Flash
So this past Tuesday, two fellow BG comrades, Ryan and Saya, gave a little presentation on what’s ahead for advertising and digital design with regards to HTML5 and Flash. In case you were dead the last few months and just awoke, there is a tussle going on between these two for the crown of preferred platform to design/develop. Apple has thrown their weight behind HTML5 and therefore the iphone and ipad don’t support Flash. Ouch.
Adobe, seemingly on the defensive, recently has come out with some interesting communication from their camp and I believe we are in store for some quality banter in the coming months. On nytimes.com, I came across the following leaderboard.
On the same page, Adobe also had a 300×250 flash banner (two frames below right).
Pretty bold statement there, Adobe.
I am not a designer, however I do feel strongly that people buy devices (iphones, ipads, etc) and want to get the most out of them. When a device doesn’t support a platform, everyone lose out because the experience isn’t as great as it could be. Our designers have opinions on the future of the web and where this is going, but I’m curious if any other designers or web developers have any thoughts?
Are we in for a Mac vs PC type standoff coming in the form of HTML5 vs Flash? I hope so because I love the slightly below the belt shots that they throw at one another.
I loved this post! I too sort of enjoy the banter/sandoff that happens between devices and companies…but I also find it entertaining how attached people get to their “beloved” Mac or PC, etc. It’s inasane to me how there are face to face battles about what produces better technology and products…created by the companies themselves. That ends up being free advertisment! I do, however, want to buy/invest in products that don’t shut me out on one form of technology or another, so if an iphone or ipad doesn’t support, and won’t support, Flash and other programs, I think I’d wait for something that supports them all…alas, business competion doesn’t always allow for that convenience.
Call me silly, but the dumb thing behind it… and might I add a really jerkwad move on Apples part…
Apple would’nt have made it through the 90’s without Adobe.
Owch.
I said it.
Check out what Building 43 at Google has to say about html5 http://www.building43.com/videos/2009/11/05/google-html5-canvas-element-in-action/
Saree – thanks for the comment. I can tell you that you speak for the majority of consumers in that we all buy these gadgets (often times expensive) in hopes of gaining a better overall experience. You’re also right on with the back and forth mudslinging that goes on as the media, blogosphere, etc all pick up on that. It’s similar to the political campaigns, right?
Elise – That’s a good point. I feel like Apple is standing at the top of the mountain and throwing their weight around as they please (which is what companies do when they get that BIG in a particular space), but it doesn’t take long for a small and nimble player to start stealing market share, which adds up over time. Don’t get me wrong, Apple isn’t going anywhere, but consumers want what’s best for them and that backlash does add up over time as well.
Ryan – I’ll check it out. Thanks for the heads up.
First of all, it’s great to see agencies pondering the marketing implications of this debate – it goes far beyond tech geek fanboys splitting into camps to hurl insults at each other, and is deeply entwined with how consumers will access their multimedia online moving forward.
It’s a tough call, but here’s how I see it. HTML5 is a long-overdue update that brings the language in line with what we all obviously want the web to be: flexible, lean and able to handle engaging features like multimedia & animation. For the longest time, only Flash (and more recently javascript) were the ways to get this, so Apple is right that this is where we’re headed. Plus, Adobe has seriously sat on its laurels with flash, mainly because it’s been the only game in town. No built-in SEO or accessibility features? Epic fail; Apple’s move is a wakeup call to Adobe.
HOWEVER, to simply not support a technology that’s installed on >90% of devices online today? Overreach much? I think Apple has jumped the gun on this in a big way – unless they offer a compelling alternative that catches on across all platforms. Which, of course, is what the rumors are saying…
Love how Adobe trying to play a good guy now.
I’m still on the evil Steve Jobs’s side. He always evolve and wishes Adobe would also do the same.
Wonder why Apple don’t allow Flash on their devices?
Part of it is security issue.
How secure is Flash? Here’s what Adobe won’t tell you
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/bott/how-secure-is-flash-heres-what-adobe-wont-tell-you/2152
[...] rapid evolution of browser technology, feature-rich sites can now be built using a combination of HTML, Javascript and CSS. By using these browser-native scripting languages, developers can create captivating sites while [...]
Elise, during the early to mid 90s, Apple was a fish out of water; without a visionary like Jobs manning the helm, the ship was sinking — fast. Upon Jobs’ return in the late 90s, the company was revived and slowly transformed into the scary, game-changing powerhouse we know today. While Adobe certainly helped maintain Apple’s image as the “creative platform of choice,” it’s a stretch to say it kept the company afloat.
But getting back to the blog post — let’s be honest; when you’re surfing the web, what causes your browser to crash? For me it’s Flash and Java applications. Now that Java apps are becoming increasingly rare, Flash is the only wild card… And let’s not get started on the performance hinderance Flash provides on mobile devices. Do a quick Youtube search for Flash on Android. See for yourself how Flash brings the system to its knees (erratic scrolling, slower page load times, etc).
It’s hilarious — Flash is available on Android, but look how few people choose to use it… Let old technology die. Flash’s grave is already dug. It’s right next to the those of RealNetworks, Napster and Microsoft Bob.
Flash and “crash” rhyme. That can’t be a coincidence.
While I do enjoy using well done flash websites, its hard get past just how useful having content in plain text is. Adobe themselves have started developing an application similar to flash which outputs HTML, its only in the preview stage yet, its called Adobe Edge, have a google for it.
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