Flash is more likely dead than alive: Adobe itself asks to abandon technology

In a November 30 corporate blog entry, Adobe called on web developers to move to new standards in web animation and use HTML5 instead of Flash. Instead of a complex for creating web animations Flash Professional CC, the company offers Adobe Animate CC, which includes support for HTML5 Canvas and WebGL technologies.

Flash technology began with the SmartSketch application - a stylus drawing application for computers running PenPoint OS (which worked on the first tablets and handhelds). It was distributed by FutureWave Software. After the death of PenPoint, SmartSketch was ported to Windows and Mac OS.

With the development of the Internet, FutureWave decided to enter a new market for them and compete with Macromedia Shockwave web animation. The company released a program called FutureSplash Animator, and in 1995 even offered itself for sale to Adobe Systems, but was refused.

In 1996, Macromedia acquired the company and re-released their software called Macromedia Flash 1.0, which included an animation editor and a player. Due to the compact size of the resulting animation files, they are ideally suited for web technologies.

Macromedia distributed the flash plug-in for browsers on a free basis, and by 2005 this technology had become the most popular on the web, ahead of QuickTime, RealNetworks, and Windows Media Player. In 2000, the first version of ActionScript appeared. In 2005, Macromedia finally bought Adobe Systems, where these technologies have evolved further to this point. Flash was strongly associated with online games in the browser and with pretty banner ads.


Message from Michael Shez , Adobe Creative Evangelist

Flash technology has been slowly dying in recent years. There were several reasons - the lack of support on mobile devices, excessive system requirements, and constant security problems. The advent and spread of HTML5 technology has accelerated the abandonment of Flash.

At the same time, Adobe is not going to unilaterally refuse to support Flash - developers should gradually switch to other technologies themselves. In the end, as yet a huge amount of content depends on the Flash player, and the company will correct its shortcomings, including in the field of security.