Flash player comes to smartphones, but not iPhone

A full version of Flash, the software used to watch video and animation on computers, is now coming to smartphones. It means that smartphone owners will be able to access more of the rich applications and services found on desktop computers, and ensures that websites with animated front pages or embedded videos will now be fully viewable on a mobile device.

The software will be available on most high-end smartphones – such as Nokia and Palm devices, and those running the Google Android and Microsoft Windows Mobile operating systems – from early next year, although Apple has decided not to include the technology in its iPhones.

• Adobe Flash platform coming to televisions and set-top boxes

Although Flash has been available on many mobile phones for a while, most devices have only been capable of running the Lite version, because of their limited processing power. Flash underpins dozens of popular websites, including YouTube and the BBC's iPlayer. Adobe, the company behind Flash, estimates that around three quarters of online video content is delivered using the software.

"Years ago, browsing on smart phones was almost non-existent – nobody was worried about desktop experiences on phones," said Anup Murarka, a member of Adobe's mobile and devices team. "But a tremendous level of capability has been added to these devices in recent years and as a result that has changed."

The new version of Flash supports touch-screen devices and high-definition video, and is part of the Open Screen Project, an initiative backed by the likes of Google and Microsoft that aims to develop software and standards that can be used across a variety of platforms, including phones and set-top boxes, without developers rewriting the code each time.

Mr Murarka said that Adobe would need Apple's co-operation to get Flash on to the iPhone, because the Safari web browser used by the iPhone and iPod touch does not support plug-ins like the one used for Flash.