Adobe’s number one this week had some strong comments regarding Apple’s decision to block Flash-compiled apps in the App Store and for not allowing Flash Player in iPhone OS. CEO Shantanu Narayen claimed on Fox Business that Apple is hurting its customers because “Flash is synonymous with the internet.” His full comments are available for viewing 3:30 minutes into this video segment.
Adobe also announced today that Flash Player 10.1 and Adobe AIR 2.0 for Android are currently in private testing and would soon be available as a public beta. Sign up to be notified once they arrive here (Flash) and here (AIR). A free Adobe ID registration is required for notification.
Previously scheduled for a first half 2010 release, Flash Player 10.1 has been delayed until the second half of the year due to mitigating bugs left in the software. Narayen further stated that in addition to desktop operating systems, 10.1 would see support from other mobile device companies such as Google, Palm, and RIM later this year. While Microsoft has welcomed Flash Player on Windows Phone 7, it will not be included at release this holiday season due to continual development of the new operating system.
Update: Flash 10.1 has not been delayed and is still on track to ship before the second half of the year. The confusion came from CEO Narayen’s comments that Flash would ship on Android and other mobile devices in 2H 2010 but what was actually implied was that Flash would come pre-installed on those devices when released later this year. Adobe evangelist Serge Jespers has stated that Flash Player 10.1 will be available for download within the upcoming months.
Image credit TheFlashBlog.