Should we stop using flash?
Flash is dead, welcome HTML5! A lot of people are thinking that flash will completely disappear in the next 2 years. Well I’m not that sure, and that’s what I’m going to explain in my very first post on this blog.
I think the real question is not “should we stop using and learning flash” but “why should we?”. I mean, why on earth should this technology disappear because a new one appeared some months ago? Ok, HTML5 has some impressive possibilities and we found that it can be used to stream video and audio as good as flash did. But isn’t it too soon to talk about a “flash killer”?
Let’s take a first example : when ESPN and ABC decided to stop using MOVE as streamer, those two big american companies didn’t chose HTML5 to replace it, they chosed flash! There are two main reasons to this :
- Flash is updated every 16 months or so
- HTML5 only offers the possibilities of Flash player 6
Now let’s add a third reason to this : browser compatibily! If you are into web development, I don’t have to tell you how slowly people are moving from one browser’s version to another, we are now close to IE9 and people are still using IE6! That means that if companies want to use HTML5, they also have to keep on using Flash because a lot of people are still using browsers that are not able to read HTML5… and that means more money!
Another example? The rise of social gaming. Every single facebook game uses adobe flash player! Again, the reason is simple : no matter which browser you have, you are sure to be able to play! And when you look at the money Zynga or Playfish earn thanks to these games, I don’t think they are willing to change anything!
Of course the Web isn’t only a matter of plugin (or is it?), so what about websites? Famous companies always used Flash to build their website because of the prestigious look it gives. Video games and movies websites are using it too because it can provide an immersive UI along with awesome interactive design. Could HTML5 provide high quality websites like those used to promote games and movies? I don’t think so…
So let’s summerize !
-Audio/video : Flash
-Video games and movies industries : Flash
Isn’t that clear? Of course, I might be completely wrong about all of this, but this is my inner thought.
I’m not a flash lover, and the idea of making a website with ActionScript3 just scares me away… But I’m bored to hear that HTML5 will replace flash soon… one day, maybe, it will, but I don’t think it’s for now. The only fact that a big bald man, with a wonderful sweater, predicted the end of flash, is not a proof of it! What it proves is that his marketing power is just awesome, but that’s another debate.
One more line to give you the link to a flash website I love !
