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By Steve Kozak, Internet Video Specialist, Video Editor
Contrary to what the original iPad video promotion initially promised, Apple's iPad will not support Flash content, consequently leaving behind many potential consumers of Steve Jobs' wireless touch-screen tablet.
Instead of the animated, interactive graphics offered by the incorporation of Flash, a "blue-lego block" will appear for users who arrive at websites requiring Flash support. This is a disappointment, as Flash content is nearly everywhere on the Web.
Because incorporating Adobe's Flash into the iPad would open doors to content that competes with applications in the App Store, it would probably be in Apple's best interest to shy away from the platform, according to Brian X. Chen of Wired.com. Flash would potentially introduce a slew of performance problems for Apple's new tablet as well, including sporadic crashing, depleted battery life and security risks, which could lead to a ton of potential headaches for Apple, according to Chen.
However, many believe the lack of Flash incorporation into the iPad will turn them away from purchasing Jobs' newest product. For example, many in the corporate and educational realm use and create content that is Flash-specific for presentations, e-learning, instructional animations and interactive material. If Apple hopes to pitch this product to students and large corporations, then they might be falling a bit short. Also, Flash ads generate an immensely large amount of online ad revenue and advertising spend. Rich media advertising is one of the highest-grossing media formats within the Web economy. For example, the NYTimes.com and Wired.com incorporate huge Flash advertisements into the headers of their sites. Ironically, these tend to be Apple-based ads!
With millions of websites incorporating the use of Adobe Flash into their pages, consumers who purchase Apple's new iPad tablet will have to get used to the image of the blue block showing up at every turn of their Web-browsing experience. This is likely not the kind of online experience they are hoping for from the iPad.
