iPad, iPod touch concerns and HTML5

Recently Steve Jobs posted an essay explaining why the iPad, iPod Touch, and iPhone will not be getting flash. He talked about the future of the web being HTML5.

Some of the websites I currently use in my classroom for free are based on Flash. In fact, I recently attended a training where a whole bunch of Web 2.0 tools were demonstrated. Almost all of them required flash to function. I understand that some (a tiny number) have apps available on the app store for a few dollars each. I understand that some can be accessed in a non-flash way, but then are usually much reduced in their functionality (animoto for example).

Other people have posted about their schools using iPads or iPods and I am wondering what are they doing about this issue. Do they use those devices for content consumption more than creation? Do they use full laptops or desktops when students want to create online content using tools unavailable due to lack of flash?

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Permalink Reply by Neal Erickson on May 3, 2010 at 9:04am

I too have been wondering about this. I understand the reasoning behind not supporting Flash on these devices. When it comes to creation these devices are pretty lacking compared to what a desktop/laptop can do. I sure would love the content delivery in my classroom that these devices could provide. However sites like MyWebspiration, Prezi, & Crocodoc would not only be unsupported because of Flash but I can't see how the non-mouse interface would work either.

I bet a ton of these Web 2.0 sites are investigating HTML5 and will soon be addressing their use on the iPad.

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Permalink Reply by Allan Foster on May 3, 2010 at 9:45am

I like the iPad and look on it as a new beginning but it will be quite a while before it is a true content creation device.

The Flash issue is mostly irrelevant from the standpoint of mobile devices because Flash really isn't available for mobiles yet. So sites have the same problems as users. At what point does a site decide that mobile access is critical to its operating model. When a site reaches that point then it will start providing HTML5 in some fashion. Flash is a battery eater and users will not appreciate the power drain accessing Flash sites with regularity.

Now is a time of great change. It is difficult being on the cutting edge and most schools wil have difficulty handling it.