No Flash for the iPhone After All

Rumors of Adobe developing Flash for the iPhone behind Apple's back were quashed on Wednesday when Adobe admitted it isn't possible.

Despite recent comments from Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen suggesting that his company would be developing a version of Flash for the iPhone without Apple on board, the company now admits that isn’t quite possible. In a statement, Adobe clarified the CEO’s comments, making it clear that Apple’s assistance would be needed to bring Flash to the iPhone.

“Adobe has evaluated the iPhone SDK and can now start to develop a way to bring Flash Player to the iPhone,” Adobe said, according to Cnet. “However, to bring the full capabilities of Flash to the iPhone Web-browsing experience we do need to work with Apple beyond and above what is available through the SDK and the current license around it.”

So while Flash may still be on the way for the iPhone, Narayen’s picture of a rebellious Adobe developing it without Apple’s consent turns out to be slightly misguided. Apple has yet to comment on either the original comments or the clarification.