Adobe: We're now optimizing Flash for Macs, MacBook Airs

Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen told an audience at the Web 2.0 Summit in San Francisco that the business is now using a MacBook Air to "optimize" Flash for the Mac, and that the project has already reached the beta stage, just two weeks right after tests showed that Flash use drained battery life on the Air compared to visiting the same sites in HTML5. Apple omitted a pre-installed Flash plug-in from the new MacBook Air, explaining that clients could get a much better, much more recent version by downloading it themselves.

The original testing blamed the heavy use of Flash in advertising for the excess drain, but substantial battery loss has since been demonstrated on other models and platforms, most notably the mobile arena.

The revelation casts new light on Adobe's numerous counter-arguments to Steve Jobs' pointed criticisms and explanation of why Flash is not allowed on iOS gadgets, published as an open letter last April. At the time, the CEO of Apple said they had asked Adobe to demonstrate Flash running nicely on a mobile device, which they could not. Jobs also criticized the business for repeatedly delaying Flash for mobile gadgets. The business finally shipped Flash 10.1 for mobile gadgets, it's hardware-accelerated version, in August -- six months right after Jobs' essay.

Narayen blamed the issues with Apple largely on early access to hardware acceleration, saying that where they were able to optimize Flash for the hardware, it performed efficiently and did not cause substantial battery drain. At present, only Android gadgets running v2.2 can help Flash 10.1, and reports on its performance have been mixed.

Analysts, nevertheless, note that Flash on Android performs sufficiently nicely that it might put pressure on Apple to eventually allow Flash on their iOS gadgets going forward, lest they lose a competitive edge. Company researcher Ovum suggests that as other smartphone OSes help Flash 10.1, they will be able to demonstrate a substantial advantage over Apple's offerings. Microsoft, Palm, Symbian and RIM have all pledged to help Flash in their upcoming smartphone and tablet gadgets.

New Battery on MacBook Pro Deemed Removable

It didn’t take really long to figure out the new, non-removable battery in Apple’s 17-inch MacBook Pro isn’t fairly as non-removable as Apple may like to think. Within days of receiving their new MacBook Pro, the crew over at ifixit got to work and very easily succeeded in their mission to eliminate the battery, whilst also documenting their efforts step by step. Apple has made some effort to deter removal as the battery is held in place by three tri-wing screws. Nonetheless ifixit concluded that they can basically be taken out with a small flathead screwdriver.

Apple warns that the battery need to only be replaced by an authorized service provider and that attempting a battery replacement yourself could damage your equipment and void its warranty. The warning is repeated on a label on the battery itself. Ifixit is quick to note, nonetheless, that you're in a position to remove the battery with out leaving any noticeable traces of doing so.

What does all of this mean? Well you basically reap all of the benefits that the new, far better battery brings to your MacBook Pro though becoming able to avoid paying the $180 fee that comes from being in Apple’s battery replacement program. The fact that the non-removable battery is really detachable means that it won’t be extended until you will discover less pricey versions of the battery offered for buy.