Flash Comes To The Set-Top Box And TV

Adobe has signed a deal putting Flash in chips for set-top boxes and TVs, meaning Web-based content will be coming to your living room screen.

Adobe has announced a major deal that will put its Flash software on chips for set-top boxes and televisions, meaning they’ll be able to deliver Web-based content and applications.

Although the deal doesn’t include Sony and Samsung TVs, it does cover most chips, including those from Broadcom, Intel, NXP and STMicroelectronics, the BBC reports, with the first applications arriving on TV sets next year.

It could lead to televisions taking on many tasks currently performed by computers, and for its first series of applications, Adobe has signed up Disney, the New York Times, and Netflix.

Adobe says Flash is on 98% of PCs, and some 80% of online video (including YouTube) is delivered via Flash, leaving it far ahead of rival Silverlight.

Anup Murarka, director of technology strategy for Flash, said:

"Change is coming to TV and we will see more and more content get used and taken to TV."

Adobe is hoping for dominance in market for all three screens – PC, TV, and mobile. Flash Lite was on 40% of all mobile devices that shipped last year, the big exception being the iPhone.