There have been all kinds of theories running around the web over the past few weeks since the release of iPhone 4.0 and Apple’s update to their developer terms of use. These seem to be the top three:
1. Apple wants to use only open source technologies
This line of reasoning has some value, it certainly makes life easier for developers but that’s about it, all the APIs and iPhone OS specific functions are still closed technologies, therefore it really isn’t a great reason to block Flash.
2. Apple wants to keep control
If Apple allows Flash onto their device, and therefore Flash apps, they add an extra layer to the process. When the OS is updated the developers have to wait for Flash to be updated before the apps can be updated, this leads to apps taking longer to get up-to-date, which means improvements take longer to notice.
3. Apple is a business
The only way Apple makes money from the iPhone and iPad is by selling devices and apps. In order to ensure that the apps available on the iPhone and iPad are the best around.
They also have to ensure that the same apps are not available on their competitors devices, otherwise there is no reason to choose the iPad over the HP Slate. Personally this seems makes the most sense, Apple is after all, a business.
