Apple ends Flash player pre-installs

Adobe’s Flash player and browser plugin has been removed from all new Apple products, effective as of this past Saturday.

As noted by The Guardian, Adobe software will now require user downloads with each new Apple machine, without the ‘click to install’ prompt that explains why video animations or games may not be working and links users directly to the Flash download site.

It has been suggested that Oracle’s Java has also suffered the same exclusion from new Apple products.

The axing of Flash will include all demonstration machines in Apple Stores worldwide, meaning that the previous iOS pre-installed Flash cut is now active across the entire Apple product range.

The latest ban became clear when testers of the new MacBook Air found that they could not play Adobe Flash content, including YouTube videos.

“We’re happy to continue to support Flash on the Mac, and the best way for users to always have the most up to date and secure version is to download it directly from Adobe,” an Apple spokesperson said.

Apple’s pre-installed Flash cuts mark the latest chapter in ongoing troubles between the two companies that has continued throughout 2010.