Adobe responds to Microsoft Windows 8 Metro Flash snub

Adobe has vowed that the Flash platform will continue following Microsoft's announcement that Windows 8 Metro will not support the web plug-in.

Adobe platform general manager Danny Winokur said in a blog post on Friday that the company plans to develop and support the widely used media platform.

Winokur's post comes just two days after Microsoft said that the tablet-optimised Metro will favour HTML5 over web plug-ins.

"We expect Windows desktop to be extremely popular for years to come (including Windows 8 desktop) and that it will support Flash just fine, including rich, web-based games and premium videos that require Flash," Winkur wrote.

"In addition, we expect Flash-based apps will come to Metro via Adobe AIR, much the way they are on Android, iOS and BlackBerry Tablet OS today."

Microsoft was not the first vendor to exclude Flash support from its tablet operating system. Apple has refused to offer support for Flash web content on the iPhone and iPad, citing security and performance concerns.

Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group, told V3 that Microsoft's decision drives another nail into the coffin of a platform that is already in serious trouble.

"Adobe doesn't have the strength to weather the storm it is currently facing. I think the days of Flash are numbered. Clearly the direction for developers is away from this platform," he said.