Apparently Adobe isn’t the only one that realizes browser based plugins for rich media (read: the impending death of Flash on mobile) are dead. According to the Verge whom cites Mary Jo Foley whom herself cites multiple sources, Microsoft will officially abandon their Flash competitor, Silverlight, after the next Silverlight 5 release rumored to drop around late November.
Given the wide ranging support for HTML5 as well as previous comments by Microsoft that Silverlight’s days were numbered, the announcement wouldn’t exactly be surprising. Nonetheless, hearing of Flash (mobile Flash mind you) and Silverlight in the same day makes for a rather interesting week, no?
Outside of web video, Flash is less relevant while Silverlight still is a key piece of Windows Phone. Give this week’s events it appears the track towards a web technologies based future has been accelerated.
WinMo and Windows Phone users hoping for a little mobile Firefox love thanks to the exceptionally good looking (and performing) “Fennec” will be utterly depressed to the point of no return this morning to learn that the mobile Firefox team has canceled any and all work on the mobile Microsoft build. They chalk it up to Microsoft’s new development rules going into Windows Phone 7, namely the restriction on apps running in native code, instead requiring managed code through the likes of Silverlight and XNA. This small blurb appeared on the WinMo Fennec team’s blog:
While we think Windows Phone 7 looks interesting and has the potential to do well in the market, Microsoft has unfortunately decided to close off development to native applications. Because of this, we won’t be able to provide Firefox for Windows Phone 7 at this time. Given that Microsoft is staking their future in mobile on Windows Mobile 7 (not 6.5) and because we don’t know if or when Microsoft will release a native development kit, we are putting our Windows Mobile development on hold.
So, ya. It pretty much sucks. In theory they could still build for WinMo. But with Windows Phone 7 being light years ahead of WinMo in every way, why bother? It isn’t so much the Fennec team’s fault I guess. I’m not a software developer so I have no idea the ramifications/limitations/benefits of Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 requirements. All I know is that the mobile browser scene for WinMo/Windows Phone just became a little less exciting.
How are you feeling?
Unwired
Without any filler or hesitation, there are two big pieces of information that all of the CrackBerry addicts out in internet land need to know:
- First: RIM is planning on adding FULL Flash and SilverLight support into the BlackBerry browser. Now, re-read that…planned is the keyword. According to various BGR insiders with seeds planted inside of RIM, next summer appears to be the rough guestemation date of a possible release on said support. As has been mentioned before in regards to full mobile flash support, RIM is working on beefier BlackBerries with higher spec’d internals in order to pull off the mobile eye candy tango. A second crucial piece in the trek to full Flash/SilverLight is the need for not only beefier hardware but also the need for higher speed data services…(ahem) LTE/HSPA/4G…you may step forward now. The same insiders say RIM has already achieved successful tests with data speeds ranging in the 10Mbps range in RIM labs with lab equipment and test networks. Again, all they’re waiting on now is those same speedy networks to make their way outside. Whew! 10Mbps wireless data speeds…sweet!
- Second: The BlackBerry 9700/Bold/Onyx will debut just in time for Black Friday if internal AT&T testing goes as planned *fingers crossed*. For those of you looking to upgrade your less than new BlackBerry to the trackball-less, touch pad rockin’ new hotness don’t have too much longer to wait.
Hey, at least you know a time frame now right? Who can’t wait for the mercury to drop and the Berries to start flyin’?
Source: BGR
Flash has long been the holy grail if you will of the mobile internet world. If a handset manufacturer and mobile OS developer can get flash, they’ve got an instant hit…more or less. Even the almighty iPhone lacks flash. Though, Jobs claimed it was of poor performance that didn’t meet their stict requirements for a desierable user experience. Microsoft has long been in development of a flash fighter dubbed “Silverlight”. This inhouse “flash-type” software allows rich video/audio/whatever else you want content to be interacted with rigth inside of your web browser. Today, mobile internet junkies have another item to put in that “I want it now” imaginary bag in their mind along with iPhone copy & paste as Microsoft has revealed that Silverlight mobile will debut in Windows Mobile 7. Unfortunately they weren’t quick enough to make the WinMo 6.5 cut. While sad, it could be a blessing in disguise as other rushed products have turned out quite poorly…*I’m looking at you vista*. So sit back, relax, and feel the contentment of knowing that the web will be a little richer come early next year.
Source: Into Mobile, WM Experts
