bit-tech.net

Adobe launches preview of Flash alternative

Published on 2nd August 2011 by Antony Leather

Adobe's Flash has been the subject of much debate, particularly after Apple boycotted it on its iOS devices.

Adobe has released a preview of its new web tool Edge, which is an alternative to Flash.

Edge, which Adobe claims 'allows designers to bring animated content to websites, using web standards like HTML5, JavaScript, and CSS3', is one of the first HTML5 editing tools available, and it's currently free while the company looks to receive feedback.

However, the days of chugging high definition Flash-based content aren't quite over, as Edge looks set to coexist with Flash for the time being.

Clearly keen to make its new product as popular as possible, Adobe has promised regular updates in order to add new features, keep up with the rapid development surrounding HTML5 and incorporate feedback received from users.

It's a big move for Adobe, and it looks like a clear sign of the company leaning away from Flash in the wake of popular websites such as YouTube moving to HTML5, as well as the boycotting of Flash altogether by Apple on its iOS devices.

Are you sick of Flash hogging your laptop or low-powered PC's resources? Do you think Apple was right not to include it on its devices? Let us know in the forums.

13 Comments

Discuss in the forums Reply

wuyanxu 2nd August 2011, 10:36

RIP Flash, you can't die sooner.

now, where can i find a HTML5 blocker? soon, websites will be full of flashy HTML5 adverts.

Pooeypants 2nd August 2011, 10:40

They don't exist so good luck with that. Long live flash!

Denis_iii 2nd August 2011, 11:14

hope adblock has no trouble blocking edge as it does flash ads

SaNdCrAwLeR 2nd August 2011, 11:16

if you block HTML5, you block a website...
this'll be bad in that aspect :P
unless someone comes up with the very nice idea of an <ad> tag... :P
ah well, it'll be awesome for ad companies at least! :D

atlas 2nd August 2011, 13:32

Ya personally I really like flash, youtube has been so crappy since they changed. I so seldom have any issues with flash. I really feel the flash hatred is just apply fanboy hype.

atlas 2nd August 2011, 13:33

apply=Apple

Bauul 2nd August 2011, 14:26

As long as i keep getting my Flash games to play at lunch, I'll be happy.

PingCrosby 2nd August 2011, 16:14

There's only one Flash alternative and thats Garcia Hotspur, if the universe needs a saviour he's the man.

Almightyrastus 2nd August 2011, 16:37

The problem I have with Flash is that it has just got too resource hungry. Flash games are a prime example. A full screen view of some of the Flash based FB games causes some serious slow down at times and that is running it on an i7 920 with 6GB and a GTX460.

barndoor101 2nd August 2011, 22:37

Ive been playing around with this the last 2 days at work, as a program it reminds me of the early versions of Flash (ie where you could only work in the timeline, and with tweens etc).

I wish people would lay off Flash - you will never be able to do some of the stuff you can in Flash with HTML5. Most bad experiences with Flash are because of crap programming - nothing Adobe can really do about that, just like Apple cant do anything about crap programming on mobile devices etc. Wait for HTML5/js to become more used, and watch the complaints come in about shoddy code.

dyzophoria 3rd August 2011, 00:05

lol, its a nice start, Im always amazed at people who hate flash "too much". to the point like its the plague, its either you are viewing a website created in 100% full screen flash (which is stupid) or you you are just one of those "uh oh xxx said this about flash so... **** flash", but quite frankly there are alot of instances were flash is still a better option than html5/javascript atm. and lol at FB games. I think its a tradeoff, deliver content fast but there is always a catch, it wont be technically that optimized to be running at smooth as silik speeds (for now that is) and what barndoor101 mentioned, most problems with flash sites are the ones who program it. im gonna put a big bet on that

fata1_666 3rd August 2011, 15:19

looks good intersing to see if it takes off

NuTech 3rd August 2011, 15:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by barndoor101
Ive been playing around with this the last 2 days at work, as a program it reminds me of the early versions of Flash (ie where you could only work in the timeline, and with tweens etc).

I wish people would lay off Flash - you will never be able to do some of the stuff you can in Flash with HTML5. Most bad experiences with Flash are because of crap programming - nothing Adobe can really do about that, just like Apple cant do anything about crap programming on mobile devices etc. Wait for HTML5/js to become more used, and watch the complaints come in about shoddy code.

Unfortunately true. :(

Another big problem is DRM. Regardless of what we think/want, all legitimate content providers will want to DRM their web videos - and currently the two popular ways of doing that is Flash and Silverlight. Even Google recently stated they don't currently see a way to DRM HTML5 videos.

I'm just glad that non-essential Flash use is on the decline. No, you don't need to use Flash just to make a content slider...