Uploaded October 2016 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Adobe Flash was another early technology used to create interactive web experiences. In particularly, Flash was used to stream video from sites like YouTube for many years. Unfortunately, Flash, like Java applets, seems on its way out. Again, the reasons are complicated. For video, the HTML standard caught up to Flash and now supports video files natively, eliminating the need for Flash plugins on many sites that use video. A public feud with Apple probably did not help either, along with Adobe’s brief attempt to monetize use of the platform by forcing developers to purchase licenses to use certain features. Adobe themselves announced in 2011 that they would discontinue development of Flash for mobile devices and focus on HTML5.
Credits: Talking: Geoffrey Challen (Assistant Professor, Computer Science and Engineering, University at Buffalo). Producing: Greg Bunyea (Undergraduate, Computer Science and Engineering, University at Buffalo).
Part of the internet-class.org online internet course. A blue Systems Research Group (https://blue.cse.buffalo.edu) production.
Adobe Flash was another early technology used to create interactive web experiences. In particularly, Flash was used to stream video from sites like YouTube for many years. Unfortunately, Flash, like Java applets, seems on its way out. Again, the reasons are complicated. For video, the HTML standard caught up to Flash and now supports video files natively, eliminating the need for Flash plugins on many sites that use video. A public feud with Apple probably did not help either, along with Adobe’s brief attempt to monetize use of the platform by forcing developers to purchase licenses to use certain features. Adobe themselves announced in 2011 that they would discontinue development of Flash for mobile devices and focus on HTML5.
Credits: Talking: Geoffrey Challen (Assistant Professor, Computer Science and Engineering, University at Buffalo). Producing: Greg Bunyea (Undergraduate, Computer Science and Engineering, University at Buffalo).
Part of the internet-class.org online internet course. A blue Systems Research Group (https://blue.cse.buffalo.edu) production.
