First there is the issue of Flash’s “openness”; can developers modify the basis of the Flash player in order to make their programs run correctly within the Flash environment? No they cannot, Adobe has complete control over all aspects of Flash and its development. Steve writes, “we strongly believe that all standards pertaining to the web should be open” - thus partly explaining Apple’s stance on Flash, they don’t want the internet relying on a privatized software standard.
The second reason that Apple is unwilling to use Flash is the fact that many Flash based videos are also available in a more modern H.264 format that the iOS devices can play, so why add Flash? But Steve is referring to video, what about Flash-based online games? Well here is one area that Steve agrees with Adobe on, iOS devices cannot play online flash-games, and there is no alternative, but he does mention that the App Store has over 50,000 games available, so not to worry.
The third reason is how unsecured and unreliable the Flash platform is. According to Steve Flash is one of the main factors in causing a Mac to crash. Until Adobe can provide a secure, reliable platform Apple will not allow Flash to be pre-built into its’ iOS devices.
The fourth reason is the battery life that Flash takes up when it is playing video. Since the video you are seeing on the web is condensed in order to save server space, your video player needs to decode the signal and this takes quite some processing power using Flash. Some of the more modern standards work much more efficiently and therefore use less battery life. And on a mobile platform, battery life is everything.
The fifth reason is the ever increasing prevalence of touch technologies in the marketplace. Many websites based in Flash will need to be re-written in order to account for multi-touch interfaces instead of the old keyboard and mouse. Steve and Apple’s argument is why not re-write the code in a modern, open standard that will allow easier future collaboration and support.
The sixth reason is that Apple is highly opposed to utilizing and 3rd party software to “run” the device. Apple says it “has had issues in the past when a piece of software comes in between the platform and the developer”, as it usually ends up creating sub-standard applications that “hinder the performance of the platform”.
To me all of this sounds like a battle of the new standard “open” and the old “closed” system and way of software creation. Although Apple admits that it has proprietary software it argues that in order for the electronics to be assured in working condition, it must control the base-software. Apple is actively pushing more open standards all over, including in their iTunes music store with the iTunes Plus option which allows consumers to pay a little more in order to download a DRM-free song. I believe that what Steve wrote about the need for open-source standards on the internet hits the nail on the head. We need to keep the internet open, fair, and free for all to use.
Original post from Steve Jobs