Google and Adobe Systems had nice things to say about Apple’s new terms for developers after the iOS creator lifted restrictions on Flash and the use of mobile ad platforms.
“We are encouraged to see Apple lifting its restrictions on its licensing terms, giving developers the freedom to choose what tools they use to develop applications for Apple devices,” Adobe said in a statement yesterday.
Elaborating in a blog post, Adobe said Apple’s announcement has direct implications for Adobe’s Packager for iPhone, a feature in the Flash Professional CS5 authoring tool.
“This feature was created to enable Flash developers to quickly and easily deliver applications for iOS devices,” Adobe said. “The feature is available for developers to use today in Flash Professional CS5, and we will now resume development work on this feature for future releases.”
Adobe points out that Apple’s restriction on Flash content running in the browser on iOS devices remains in place. “Adobe will continue to work to bring full web browsing with Flash Player 10.1 as well as standalone applications on AIR to a broad range of devices, working with key industry partners including Google, HTC, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia, Palm/HP, RIM, Samsung and others,” the company said.
Terms of Apple’s updated iPhone Developer Program License Agreement also ensures that Apple’s developers can choose a variety of advertising solutions, including Google/AdMob’s, to earn money and fund their apps. Earlier, Apple’s developer terms, if enforced, prohibited app developers from using AdMob/Google’s advertising solutions on the iPhone.
Omar Hamoui, Google’s vice president of product management and founder of AdMob, which Google acquired last year, called it “great news for everyone in the mobile community.” The new terms provide immediate clarification about the status of mobile advertising on the iPhone and will benefit users, developers and advertisers, he said in a blog post.
He concluded by saying Google is “100%” committed to developing the best possible advertising solutions and formats for the iPhone, as well as for Android, BlackBerry, Palm, Windows mobile and “undoubtedly many more to come” in the years ahead.
