Forget Apple! Google has confirmed that it is working with Adobe, Mozilla and the “broader community” to help define a next-gen browser plug-in API for Flash.
According to Google spokesperson Linus Upson, the new API “aims to address” the various shortcomings of the current plug-in model.
“Adobe Flash Player is the most widely used web browser plug-in. It enables a wide range of applications and content on the Internet, from games, to video, to enterprise apps. The traditional browser plug-in model has enabled tremendous innovation on the web, but it also presents challenges for both plug-ins and browsers,” Upson wrote in an official blog post.
“The browser plug-in interface is loosely specified, limited in capability and varies across browsers and operating systems. This can lead to incompatibilities, reduction in performance and some security headaches. [So], today we’re making available an initial integration of Flash Player with Chrome in the developer channel. We plan to bring this functionality to all Chrome users as quickly as we can.”
Upson explained that improving the traditional browser plug-in model will make it possible for plug-ins to be just as fast, stable and secure as the browser’s HTML and JavaScript engines.
“Over time this will enable HTML, Flash, and other plug-ins to be used together more seamlessly in rendering and scripting,” he said.
“[In addition], when users download Chrome, they will also receive the latest version of Adobe Flash Player. There will be no need to install Flash Player separately. [And] with Adobe’s help, we plan to further protect users by extending Chrome’s ‘sandbox’ to web pages with Flash content.”
