Adobe Restores Android Flash Plug In To UK Google Play

Adobe’s Android Flash plug-in has returned to the Android operating systems store, Google Play, in the UK, following pressure from its “strategic partners”, according to the BBC.

The plug-in was first removed earlier this month, in line with Adobe’s plans to phase out mobile Flash, but disappointing Android users who wanted to use web content on the platform.

The BBC, which happens to be one of these partners, requested that Adobe delay the plug-in’s removal as it currently powers the corporation’s popular online catch-up service, BBC iPlayer.

Android Flash

The application, which was one of the most popular downloads from Google Play, is only available in the UK store (obviously thanks to the BBC), but will be removed again “soon”, although no date has been set. The developer has put a disclaimer on the plug-in’s listing declaring that it will no longer be updated and that it is only certified as working with certain Android versions.

This excludes the latest version of the mobile operating system, Jelly Bean, which is currently used in the Google Nexus 7 tablet.

Adobe first announced plans to abandon the Flash platform last November in favour of developing HTML5 technologies and the BBC is reportedly working with Adobe on an alternative video player for its content.

The company said that existing plug-ins would continue to receive patches and security updates but that there would be no further development. Android had used Flash as a differentiator from the rival iOS platform, which does not support Flash as its late founder Steve Jobs believed that it was too insecure and buggy.

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