Even though Adobe Flash won’t appear on the iPad, it is starting to appear on other tablets. That story leads today’s App Industry Roundup, where you’ll also learn about a new ebook service for PCs and iPhone cases mom will love.
Adobe Flash spotted on tablet
Instead of escalating its feud with Apple, Adobe is starting to move forward with new mobile products. On Tuesday, Adobe showed a version of Flash on a tablet computer running Google’s Android software. Google announced that it would produce Android-based tablets last year. Tuesday, at the Web 2.0 Expo in San Francisco, some prototypes made an appearance.
The Flash and Google products appear to be of keen interest. Adobe, of course, was slammed last week in an essay by Steve Jobs that explained why the the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad don’t support Flash, the most popular video format used on the web. That lead to much industry hand-wringing and discussion on the merits of Flash, Jobs’ damaging words and, boy, what a great opportunity for Android-based gadgets to show off a tool they can exploit all by themselves.
At the Web Expo, Adobe was showing its Air app and Flash tools on a Google tablet prototype. A very excited Max, blogging for Zedomax.com, wrote “now I can understand why Apple wants to ban Flash and other Adobe products completely from their iPhones and iPads, because it’s rather incredible technology.” Well, I doubt Apple is intimidated by the technology, but it appears Adobe will have a big presence on tablet’s other than the iPad later this year.
“According to Mike at Adobe, there will be a slew of Android Tablets at the end of this year,” Max writes. The sourcing could be better and the reporting in the piece a little less breathless, but it sure looks like we haven’t heard the last of Flash and tablet-style computers. For a closer look at apps that use Adobe’s Air technology, check out this Top 10 list.
Google sets squishy date to launch e-bookstore
In related news, and news that will eventually involve Android-running tablet computers, get ready for the Google e-book store. Google will start selling eBooks in late June or July, the company said Tuesday.
The service is called Google Editions, a name previously revealed, and only a few details were announced. Essentially, Google will store e-books on its servers and when someone searches for the title, an opportunity to purchase that book will be made available. Google didn’t announce how the profits will be split with publishers and authors. Books can be read through a web browser (great for the beach!) and it appears the service won’t be tied to a specific device, like Amazon’s Kindle or the iBook store for the iPad.
Google didn’t reveal specific plans for book reading on a tablet computer, but you can believe that’s coming next.
Gear: Get Mom a new iPhone case
Hey geeks, did you remember that Mother’s Day is Sunday? If your Mom sports an iPhone or a Blackberry, how about getting her a new case?
A new line-up from Case-mate emphasizes a more feminine approach for these smartphone holders. Four cases were designed by artists Deanne Cheuk and Shadow Chen. The special cases were designed for the iPhone 3G and 3Gs, the iPod touch and the Blackberry 9700 and 8520 models. They are priced at $35 and if you order pretty quickly — like now — they will arrive before Sunday.
Mom will be pleased.
