Adobe Shows Love for HTML5 with Wallaby Flash Converter

Adobe is showing some love for HTML5 with the the release of Wallaby, a marsupial-named program that essentially converts Flash applications into HTML5. It’s now in pre-release format for developers and coders to get their hands on. The VAR Guy believes Wallaby carries in its pouch some pretty big implications. Here’s why …

On the surface, the idea is pretty simple: Wallaby takes all the animations and hardware that was inside an Adobe Flash Professional (FLA) file, chews it up and spits it out as HTML5. Developers can then “reuse” (Adobe’s word) those files after conversion to be edited in a program such as Adobe Dreamweaver — or any other HTML program that tickles their fancy. Adobe also noted users “can view the output in one of the supported browsers or on an iOS device.” Groovy.

It’s a free download for now, as Adobe is looking to get a lot of feedback on how well the conversion works and what developers are finding in terms of performance and bugs. But Adobe has given an odd caveat that seems to imply there’s no guarantee the application will ever see prime time …

Adobe is obviously covering its bases, just in case the whole thing blows up in its collective face. But The VAR Guy thinks there’s no reason Wallaby can’t be a walk-about success. The demand for this technology is high, and The VAR Guy knows it firsthand. Advertisers want to be able to  reach their audience across all platforms, and it’s a well-known fact that iOS doesn’t support Flash (The VAR Guy still gnashes his teeth over that one). Adobe understands that as well, and even calls banner-ad conversions the technology’s “typical use case.“

At the very least, The VAR Guy thinks Wallaby is the mascot for a new movement toward equal opportunity for all coding, and plans on keeping his eyes on Wallaby as it makes tracks across the web. In the meantime, chime in and let us know what you think the future looks like for Adobe and Flash since they’re supporting HTML5 in a small way.

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