Adobe Promises Flash for iPhone

Adobe Systems is committed to bringing Flash to the iPhone, according to CEO Shantanu Narayen, even though Steve Jobs said last week that Flash isn't suitable for the iPhone

But Narayen isn't wavering. "Flash is synonymous with the Internet and, frankly, anybody who wants to browse the Web and experience the Web's glory really needs Flash support," he said during a conference call Tuesday with investors, according to a transcript at seekingalpha.com.

He is sure adding Flash support to the iPhone isn't a problem. "We've evaluated the SDK, we can now start to develop the Flash player ourselves and we think it benefits our joint customers," Narayen said.

But he was also diplomatic, saying twice that Adobe wants to work with Apple.

"We think it benefits our joint customers. So we want to work with Apple to bring that capability to the device," he said.

But Jobs also seems to be sure about his position. Last week, he was quoted saying Apple hadn't adopted Adobe's mobile version of its Flash program because of technical and performance concerns.

At the time, he suggested Adobe work on a new version of the player, according to The Wall Street Journal.

An Apple spokesman in Europe declined to comment about Adobe's plans.

Microsoft announced earlier this week that its Windows Mobile software for cell phones will support Flash as well as Microsoft's competing Silverlight technology.