Optimistic Adobe Envisions Flash on Over 250 Million Smartphones by 2012

Undeterred by Apple's stubborn refusal to support Flash, Adobe this week peered into their crystal ball and evidently saw a future in which their Flash Player came installed on more than 250 million smartphones. Adobe isn't talking about some far off future, either, and instead sees itself going from zero to hero in the mobile market by the end of 2012.

"Maybe we don't get to the iPhone or iPad," Anup Murarka, director of technology strategy, told Reuters in an interview. "If anything, we're seeing continued growth in the install base and the usage of Flash and we see that continuing to grow.



We already know that Flash is coming to Android, but that won't be the only smartphone platform Adobe will infiltrate. According to Murarka, you can expect to see Flash on devices from Palm (now HP), Research in Motion (RIM), Nokia's Symbian platform, and Microsoft Windows 7.


Android-Based HTC Hero running Flash video trailers (courtesy: Adobe Corp.)

While perhaps bold, Adobe's numbers aren't unrealistic. Market watchers expect some 200 million smartphones to be sold in 2010, with 10 percent of the coming with Flash support. That still gives Adobe two full years to make good on their prediction.
Tags:  Adobe, Flash, smartphone