Some think the days of native applications may be numbered thanks to the rise of the web app, but it also seems that revolution is spreading more widely, even to Flash.

HTML5 is the language expected to disrupt the market, and Adobe has reportedly briefed sources that work on Flash for mobile browsers is to be cut short.

 

Focus will instead shift to native app support through Adobe AIR and, most interestingly, a wider drive to push web apps through HTML5.

AIR apparent

"Our future work with Flash on mobile devices will be focused on enabling Flash developers to package native apps with Adobe AIR for all the major app stores," says ZDNet.

"We will no longer adapt Flash Player for mobile devices to new browser, OS version or device configurations. Some of our source code licensees may opt to continue working on and releasing their own implementations."

The statement suggests Adobe will continue to support Flash Player in its existing forms – such as offering critical bug fixes and security updates on Android and BlackBerry PlayBook – but the platform will no longer be actively developed.

Instead, investment in HTML5 will increase, as well as support for native apps, with the likes of PlayBook the likely beneficiary thanks to its support for Adobe AIR apps.

Adobe is itself yet to comment on the supposed statement, though the firm has admitted 750 jobs are to be axed across North America and Europe as part of a wider restructuring exercise.

[source: ZDNet]