Hack forces Flash onto iPad

[techbeck]

Software hobbyists have defied Steve Jobs by creating a hack that allows Flash to run on iPads, albeit with limitations.

Comex - the hacker responsible for the iPad "Spirit" jailbreak - has circumvented Apple's iPad Flash ban by coding an iPad port of Adobe's Flash runtime for Android, TGDaily reports.

The so-called Frash is reportedly capable of rendering most Flash-based programs in Safari. Comex plans to apply the same approach to iPhone and other mobile devices over time.

The technology uses features similar to those found in Chrome to make sure a device keeps running even if the application crashes. Frash is however limited by lack of video and keyboard input support.

Comex is confident of adding keyboard support, but video input is a far trickier proposition that is likely to require reverse engineering, according to the developer.

A demo of Frash in action can be found on YouTube (below). ?

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/07/06/coder_circumvents_ipad_flash_ban/

Video in source,

[Eric Veteran]

Now he needs to show us that what Jobs said about Flash on their mobile devices isn't true. :p

[techbeck]

Now he needs to show us that what Jobs said about Flash on their mobile devices isn't true. :p

Jobs is full of hot air and I am waiting on him to explode. Its about controlling what is put on his device. Everyone with 1/2 a brain knows flash can run on iOS.

I am waiting on an update that will block this program.

[Neo003]

Really it sucks not having flash on ipad, I really miss it. So many sites that I regularly visit aren't working. I am thinking about jb, I don't want to but there isn't any other choice.

[SaltLife]

Oh man, I forgot all about the homestarrunner.com flash series... that alone made this post worth reading.

Well, that and kudos to the developer for giving people an alternative to obtain flash on their iPad's. One would hope with the hype and great reviews that comes from the Android flash application that Apple decides to give Adobe a chance once again to develop something for their platform as well (Since they did say themselves they would if Adobe were to put out a reasonable application[whatever that means to them]).

[amon91]

I think jailbreakers should be able to do whatever you want but I expect the performance on the iPad to be suboptimal, at best. If I had an iPad I'd try this out.

[DanLeto]

Just don't buy one in the first place, problem solved.

[Eric Veteran]

Jobs is full of hot air and I am waiting on him to explode. Its about controlling what is put on his device. Everyone with 1/2 a brain knows flash can run on iOS.

I am waiting on an update that will block this program.

I meant showing that it doesn't crash the device or drain the batteries like crazy.. :) I totally agree with you, though.

[Argi]

Honestly took way longer than I would've thought but good news nontheless!

[techbeck]

I meant showing that it doesn't crash the device or drain the batteries like crazy.. :) I totally agree with you, though.

Agreed. If he is worried about battery life, then put a disclaimer or something that says that. Allow flash but its the users fault if it drains the battery. Just dont deny it.

[GeekTwo]

Just don't buy one in the first place, problem solved.

Say what you want about the software restrictions, I'm with you.. but dammit if its not some awesome hardware, I haven't seen a production tablet thats close to it yet.

Thats why I bought one.

[bjoswald]

Not having Flash pretty much cripples 90% of the web. I know HTML5 will be the next big thing, but until it hits, you're stuck with Flash. Why can't Steve let it up to the user to decide, but at the price of a voided warranty or something? At least then people would feel like they have a choice. They paid for the damn thing so they should have the right to install a little browser plug-in.