We've written a lot abut the HTML5 vs. Flash "war," primarily in the context of Flash's use in mobile and Flash as a video wrapper. I personally have taken the position that at least when it comes to mobile devices, Flash is at a disadvantage in terms of its abilities and capabilities when compared to newer technologies that can better harness hardware and software optimizations.
Adobe, understandably, has a different position. It believes that Flash and HTML5 can exist side-by-side and that each has its own set of strengths and weaknesses. I had a chance to talk to Paul Gubbay, Adobe's VP of design and web engineering, about HTML5, Flash, the emerging mobile landscape and how Adobe fits into this new world.
The world of technology moves really, really quickly. To give you an idea of just how fast things can move, when I started working on this piece last month, Apple was still anti-Flash as an IDE for iOS development and Adobe's set of HTML5 authoring tools was limited to Dreamweaver.
In the last week and a half, Apple has updated its developer guidelines and Adobe has issued an HTML5 add-on pack for Illustrator CS5.
I point out these recent changes because it indicates just how fast this industry is moving and that speed, inevitably, can impact the choices that designers, developers and end-users end up making.
How Adobe Sees HTML5
Gubbay made it very clear to me that Adobe listens to its customers and that the company wants to provide them with the tools that they need. If that means Flash or Flex or Adobe Air, great. If that's HTML5, that's a space Adobe wants to invest in too.
Adobe has already released some add-on packs for Dreamweaver CS5 and Illustrator CS5 that add in HTML5 support. I asked Gubbay if Adobe had plans for an HTML5-specific authoring tool and he couldn't comment.
On the side of Flash, if Adobe could find a way to utilize some of the existing support, frameworks and tools that have been built around ActionScript and help users move more fluidly to jQuery, HTML5 and other technologies, I think the company could have a winner.
An HTML5-specific authoring tool, as an example, that isn't an add-on, but can integrate using Bridge with other Adobe apps to take advantage of scripts and actions developed around Flash could be really helpful.
Furthermore, making more mobile specific Flash development tools that are better tuned to mobile devices so that new content created in Flash is mobile rich, is something I definitely expect to see Adobe invest in.
So Where Are We Now?
We're at a cross-roads of sorts in terms of web technologies. The new wave of technology is here; it's developing quickly and innovations are happening all of the time. On the flip side, there are still hundreds of millions of users that are using browsers and devices that aren't necessarily ready for those tools.
After speaking with Adobe, it's clear to me that the company does want to offer solutions for both sets of developers. I was impressed with the company's candor in discussing mobile and the admission that Flash on mobile isn't quite there yet.
Going forward, we see Flash as continuing to be a great tool on the desktop, but on mobile and on other platforms, HTML5 is coming up fast. Adobe has no plans to sit this one out, and we fully expect to see more solutions from the company.
For current developers, sadly, making the decision to go Flash or HTML5 is still going to be difficult. It's still at the "depends on the project" stage. For video and mobile content, HTML5 is winning. For more rich and interactive content, Flash has a huge advantage that isn't going to be displaced anytime soon.
These uncertainties aside, this is an exciting time to be a web user, web developer or web designer.
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