The Future of Flash Looks Bad
January 31st, 2010 | 
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Adobe Flash, I’m not seeing a bright future for you. It seems pretty clear that HTML 5 is going to be a new favorite. Look at the big three rivals – Microsoft, Apple and Google. Microsoft has Silverlight. Apple just announce the iPad – without Flash support. And as for Google, they do things with AJAX and basic browser features. If video is going to be a standard function of future browsers, why should I keep wasting money for upgrades of Adobe Flash? Why should I force photics.com visitors to use a third-party plug-in? If rival companies are coming to the same outcome, a world without Flash, then why should I support it?
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Shoryuken’s Disease
I’ve been playing Street Fighter 2 for almost two decades. I consider it the modern day version of chess. True, there’s a huge emphasis on player skill, but it’s also a highly strategic game. You have to quickly determine your opponent’s combat style and then apply an effective counter attack. Even though you need fast reflexes, it essentially comes down to out thinking your adversary. Although, one move is a no-brainer… the Shoryuken. People use it and use it often! It basically beats all moves. Why? It’s because it makes you temporarily invulnerable to all attacks. It doesn’t matter if you get shot with fireballs, hit with electricity or head butted by a sumo wrestler, the Shoryuken will pass right through all of that.
The iPad – Game Development Inspiration
Considering the frustration that I experienced while developing iPhone / iPod Touch apps, I’m not a big fan of Apple. However, I do like new gadgets. I had seen the hype about a new Apple tablet and I decided to check it out. Surprisingly, I was impressed. The iPad looks like a fun device – great for Internet browsing, watching movies, reading books and playing games. The price is pretty good too. The basic model is only $499. That’s not too bad for an Apple product. I like it. I’m not sure if I’ll actually buy one though, as I have a pretty good laptop, but the unveiling has re-energized me. I’ve been inspired to try Apple app development once again.
Netflix, Available on the Wii This Spring
According to a recent announcement from Nintendo and Netflix, the Wii will join the XBOX 360 and PlayStation 3 in the ranks of Netflix enabled game consoles. Sometime in the Spring, you should be able to slide a Netflix disk into your Wii. That will enable you to watch thousands of “Instant Download” movies and TV shows. Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime states, “The Wii console is the social hub around which friends and family members gather to play games and have fun. Soon both new and longtime Wii owners will enjoy the benefits of Netflix – and a variety of informational and entertainment options – by being Netflix members and connecting their consoles to the Internet.”
New Super Mario Bros Wii Review
With Super Mario Galaxy, my interest in Nintendo’s classic series started to wane. I just didn’t see how the game could get much better. It was starting to feel so repetitive. Soon after clearing Super Mario Galaxy, I wasn’t obsessive about finding every last secret. But two years later, I wandered into Best Buy. That’s where I would find new excitement for the franchise. On display was the New Super Mario Bros Wii. The game went retro. It’s the traditional 2D style controls, tempered with modern graphics. Oh, and four people can play at the same time. Those seemingly minor additions added life to a 24 year old game.