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Adobe returns attention to Flash for Linux

Stephen Shankland Former Principal Writer
Stephen Shankland worked at CNET from 1998 to 2024 and wrote about processors, digital photography, AI, quantum computing, computer science, materials science, supercomputers, drones, browsers, 3D printing, USB, and new computing technology in general. He has a soft spot in his heart for standards groups and I/O interfaces. His first big scoop was about radioactive cat poop.
Expertise Processors, semiconductors, web browsers, quantum computing, supercomputers, AI, 3D printing, drones, computer science, physics, programming, materials science, USB, UWB, Android, digital photography, science. Credentials
  • Shankland covered the tech industry for more than 25 years and was a science writer for five years before that. He has deep expertise in microprocessors, digital photography, computer hardware and software, internet standards, web technology, and more.
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Stephen Shankland

Adobe has resumed work on a Linux version of its Flash Player and plans to catch the software up to its Windows and Mac OS X equivalent, version 9, the company has said.

"Yes, Adobe is actively working on the Linux version of Flash Player 9," said Emmy Huang, Flash product manager, in a May blog posting. "We expect to make a pre-release version available on Adobe Labs for early feedback and testing before the end of the year, with the full release expected in early 2007." A better performance for the Linux version is one goal, as is a consistent experience across different operating systems.

An Adobe developer, Mike Melanson, launched a blog about the Linux Flash work. On Monday, he described the software interfaces he plans on using and asked for input on his choices.

Adobe has revived other desktop utilities before as well. The company skipped version 6 of Adobe Reader but released version 7.

Adobe doesn't release Linux versions of its flagship desktop software products, though. A Novell survey found that Linux users believe Adobe Photoshop is the most important missing desktop application.