Flash is so popular that Google ships it as a built-in plugin for its Chrome web browser. It is also likely that you have some Adobe software on your Android device, and it would be one (or all) of the same three listed above. All very nice – you can view PDF files on your PC and on your mobile device, you can use Flash on your PC and on your Android phone. But there is a price to pay for all this lovely integration – security. Adobe software is one of the hottest targets for hackers and malware writers. In 2011, Adobe had the dubious honor of being responsible for the top three most critical security vulnerabilities and had five vulnerabilities in the top ten.

Adobe issues frequent updates for all its products however it is often an uphill struggle against hackers and cyber criminals. Recently, Adobe was caught off guard when hackers started using an unknown flaw in Adobe Flash Player to infect PCs with a Trojan that opened a back door on the compromised computer. These previously unknown flaws are known as zero-day vulnerabilities, as zero is the number of days the software company knew about the issue before it was exploited.

This particular flaw targeted Flash Player on Windows and was exploited via an email which contained a Microsoft Word document with some embedded Flash in it. Once the document was opened, the Flash was run and the PC was compromised. When Adobe started looking into the problem they discovered that the security hole not only existed on Flash for Windows but also Flash for Mac, Linux and yes, you guessed it, Android.

According to the security advisory released by Adobe: “Users of Adobe Flash Player 11.1.115.7 and earlier versions on Android 4.x devices should update to Adobe Flash Player 11.1.115.8. Users of Adobe Flash Player 11.1.111.8 and earlier versions for Android 3.x and earlier versions should update to Flash Player 11.1.111.9.” The easiest way to do this is via Google Play.

Although there are no known attacks that target this weakness in Flash for Android, it really is only a matter of time before these PC-centric attacks (via Flash and PDF files) start to appear on mobile devices as well.

Stay vigilant, don’t download attachments from dubious emails and always check Google Play to see what apps need updating on your device.

NEXT: Adobe Releases Security Updates for Flash Player on Android

According to Adobe, Flash Player coming to Ice Cream Sandwich by Year’s End Adobe confirm Flash Player 10 coming to Android in October

Adobe has released a new version of its Flash Player for Android that fixes some critical security bugs. The new version of Flash, which, incidentally, is also available for Windows, Linux and OS X, fixes security vulnerabilities in Flash Player 11.1.115.6 and earlier versions for Android 4.x, and Flash Player 11.1.111.6 and earlier versions for Android 3.x and 2.x. These vulnerabilities, if exploited, could cause a crash and potentially allow an attacker to take control of the affected phone or tablet.

The update fixes two problems – the first is a memory corruption vulnerability in Matrix3D, a part of Flash which is used to determine the position and orientation of a three-dimensional object, that could lead to unauthorized code execution. The second vulnerability patched is an integer error that can lead to information disclosure.

Don’t Panic

Although these vulnerabilities are seen as critical, Adobe has rated them as “priority 2″ which means that there are currently no known exploits, and, based on previous experience, Adobe does not anticipate that exploits are imminent. As a result, Adobe is recommending users to install the update within the next 30 days.

Where to Download

If you have Android 4.0, you should update to Adobe Flash Player 11.1.115.7 by browsing to the Android Marketplace (now called Google Play Store) from your device. For those with Android 3.x and Android 2.x, you need Flash Player 11.1.111.7, which can be downloaded from the same location on the Play Store.

NEXT: Adobe confirm Flash Player 10 coming to Android in October

According to Adobe, Flash Player coming to Ice Cream Sandwich by Year’s End Adobe Flash Player 10.1 available for Nexus One smartphones

So it looks like Flash is not completely dead. Today, Adobe announced that they will indeed release one more version of Flash which will support Android 4.0 – Ice Cream Sandwich. Even though Adobe announced a few weeks ago that it would no longer develop their mobile version of Flash, and just stick to HTML5. So far the Galaxy Nexus, which is only available in the UK right now, is flash less – unfortunate but most people don’t use it.

From Adobe:

Adobe will release one more version of the Flash Player for mobile browsing, which will provide support for Android 4.0, and one more release of the Flash Linux Porting Kit - both expected to be released before the end of this year. After that time, Adobe will continue to provide critical bug fixes and security updates.

Do you have Flash installed or enabled on your Android phone?

NEXT: Adobe confirm Flash Player 10 coming to Android in October

Adobe Flash 10 for Android not coming this month – or anytime soon Flash Player on Android? Yes indeed.

The Adobe Flash Player, which has been present in Android handsets prior to the Galaxy Nexus, is, surprisingly, not present in the Galaxy Nexus.  According to Google, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich does not currently support Flash.

Google confirmed to SlashGear the absence of the Flash Player in both the flagship Google phone and its brand-new operating system, Android 4.0.  Apparently, Google is waiting for Adobe to update the mobile version of the Flash Player for Android 4.0.  Consequently, neither the latest version or the older versions of Flash Player will be available to users of the Galaxy Nexus or Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich–at least temporarily.

The absence is “normal,” Google told SlashGear.  “Flash hasn’t been released for ICS yet so as far as we know, Adobe will support Flash for ICS,” said Google’s reply.  This probably means that an updated Flash for Android 4.0 is currently being worked on and will likely roll out once it’s ready.  Even with the lack of an exact date, Google assures that Adobe will be providing an updated Flash for Ice Cream Sandwich.

Development of the Flash Player for mobile devices has been stopped by Adobe, supposedly to give way to HTML5.   Flash support has been one of Android’s edges over iOS and other mobile device platforms. Supporters have been surprised by the absence of the application. Europeans who have already purchased the Galaxy Nexus have spread the word but have not lost hope for future supply of a Flash version compatible with their ICS as Google promised.

Will the absence of Flash support on the Galaxy Nexus make you think less highly of the Android smartphone?

NEXT: Adobe Flash Player 10.1 available for Nexus One smartphones

Flash Player on Android? Yes indeed. Adobe Flash 10 for Android not coming this month – or anytime soon

The features that are to be offered by the app make it one of the most awaited and coolest tablet tool this year. The app will be officially available in the Android Market this November. Although that will be a few weeks before it will be available for Android devices, the software is already polished and easy to navigate, works perfectly, and powerful enough to give almost the same results as that of the computer program.

The Adobe Photoshop Touch was demonstrated using a prototype from Samsung, which is built with a new pen technology. This is a breath of fresh air for tablet lovers. The pressure sensitive pen will allow users to draw, use the airbrush, erase and even choose colors easily. However, there are no confirmation reports whether this device will make it to the market or not.

Availability

Adobe Photoshop Touch will be available in November for 9.99 USD. The app will allow you to view, share and transfer files thru Adobe Creative Cloud, which is included in each Adobe Touch App. Those who want to experience its full capabilities however, would need to purchase the program separately.

The company is expected to announce its availability for iOS early next year. Maybe by that time, the Adobe Touch for Android devices will have additional features, making it the preferred choice by tablet lovers.

via Droidlife

NEXT: Adobe Flash 10 will not support first generation Android devices

Juicing Up Your Mobile Devices with Human Movement — the Future of Mobile Power? Adobe Reader for Android

Hang on tight as Adobe announces its newest Adobe Flash Player 11 and AIR 3 to bring faster 2D and 3D gaming and video playback on your Android devices.

Compared to its predecessors, Flash Player 10 and AIR 2, the updated versions enable over 1,000 times improvement in performance for 2D and 3D graphics. The updated versions will reportedly deliver a smooth 60-fps graphics rendering for console-quality graphics on desktops, tablets, and even mobile phones.

Adobe recently told the public that its Flash Player 11 and AIR 3 will be publicly available this early October. These updates will introduce its new technology to a large scale of devices–from televisions, desktops, to mobile devices such as Android smartphones and tablets.

Tech blogs and sites have been whispering that the public release of the new Flash Player 11 and AIR 3 is linked to the upcoming rumored debut of Android 2.4/4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, said to be launched some time in October or November.

Flash Player 11 and AIR 3 introduce Adobe’s new architecture codenamed “Molehill”–also called Stage 3D–that allows developers to use a mix of Flash, HTML 5, and native code in creating applications.

The updates offer premium online gaming by allowing game developers to instantly deliver 2D- and 3D-quality games into online game consoles.

Zombie Tycoon, Delta Force, and Taki Online are just a few of the games one can enjoy with these new updates.

Aside from gaming, the new updates offer high-definition video playback, bringing cinema-quality videos right on your Android phones.

The software also features AIR Native Extensions that allow developers to access unique software and hardware capabilities such as vibration control, light sensors, magnetometers, dual screens, and Near Field Communications (NFC), while allowing developers to integrate AIR applications with other business software.

And, for a more simplified app installation process, Adobe allows developers to automatically attached AIR 3 together with their developed apps.

With quad-core Android smartphones and quad-core Android tablets expected to start coming in by end of this year, and with more to come in 2012, the visual experience on portable devices will definitely be getting smoother and better with Adobe’s updates to its Flash Player and AIR software.

What games that use Flash Player and/or AIR are your favorites?

NEXT: Adobe confirm Flash Player 10 coming to Android in October

Adobe Flash Player 10.1 available for Nexus One smartphones Adobe Flash exploit works on Android OS

Adobe Air

It’s a session of good news from Adobe right now. Not only have they fixed the security vulnerability effecting Android devices with Flash, but they may also be set to release a version of Adobe AIR for Android in the not too distant future.

I am often asked what Adobe AIR actually is, in particular by gadget enthusiasts who are not super technical. Adobe AIR isn’t just a catchy name; AIR actually stands for something: Adobe Integrated Runtime (AIR). So, Adobe Integrated Runtime is an environment that allows one piece of code written on a Windows machine to run perfectly on a Linux machine or indeed your mobile phone. The catch is that the OS in question must have the Adobe Integrated Runtime environment installed. The benefit of this cross-platform runtime environment for Android is that it allows developers to make their application once, but deploy it across multiple pieces of hardware and operating systems. This should mean that Android gets a little influx of applications after AIR launches, but we’ll have to wait and see.

According to a tipster from Android Central’s forums, AIR may become available on 8 October.

[Source: Android Central Forum]

NEXT: Adobe Flash exploit works on Android OS

Adobe Flash 10.1 for Android general release available in June Adobe Flash Player 10.1 available for Nexus One smartphones

Adobe Flash

PCWorld are reporting that an Adobe spokesperson contacted them very recently to reveal that, “A critical vulnerability exists in Adobe Flash Player 10.1.82.76 and earlier versions for Windows, Macintosh, Linux, Solaris and Android operating systems. This vulnerability also affects Adobe Reader 9.3.4 for Windows, Macintosh and UNIX, and Adobe Acrobat 9.3.4 and earlier versions for Windows and Macintosh.”

It strikes me that this statement could have been shortened to read, “Right now, a critical vulnerability exists in Adobe Flash Player for pretty much all devices and all versions”. But hey, you gotta be specific on these matters, right?

The vulnerability could cause whichever system is running the Flash Player to crash. Additionally, it might also cause it to install other malicious software which could wreak further havoc on the device. Right now Adobe has the follow statement to give,

“We are in the process of finalizing a fix for the issue and expect to provide an update for Adobe Flash Player for Windows, Macintosh, Linux, Solaris, and Android operating systems during the week of September 27, 2010. We expect to provide updates for Adobe Reader 9.3.4 for Windows, Macintosh and UNIX, and Adobe Acrobat 9.3.4 for Windows and Macintosh during the week of October 4, 2010.”

[Source: PCWorld]

NEXT: Adobe Flash 10 for Android not coming this month – or anytime soon

Adobe confirm Flash Player 10 coming to Android in October Adobe Flash Player 10.1 available for Nexus One smartphones

Google Nexus One

Adobe has finally made available its Flash Player 10.1 to Google’s N1 users that are running Android 2.2 Froyo.  Beta versions have long been available to N1 users via the Android Market, but now users can get a broader scope of Flash support for things like video, games, and more.

[via IntoMobile]

NEXT: Adobe confirm Flash Player 10 coming to Android in October

Video: Adobe showcases new Flash 10.1 on Nexus One Adobe announced Flash for Droid 2, HTC Evo, HTC Desire and more

Adobe have recently released an official video outlining the release of Flash 10.1 for the Droid 2, out-of-the-box. The reason why this is a big deal because it will be the first time Flash is available out-of-the-box on an Android handset. This obviously gives the end-user a far richer web-experience. The video reveals CBS and CNET flash elements and Adobe reiterate the ‘full power of the Flash player, just like on your desktop’. Of course, games are not excluded either, and the video shows Sims 3 for a short period of time.

Flash 10.1 is expected to start making its way to a whole host of different devices, including the HTC Incredible, HTC Desire, Samsung Galaxy S, Motorola Milestone, Droid X, and others too. Flash 10.1 support for mobile devices is alleged to come bundled into the hotly anticipated Android 2.2 release that we have all been expecting. Not long to go now guys!

NEXT: Adobe Flash 10.1 for Android general release available in June

HTC and Adobe announce Flash support on Android Adobe Flash 10 will not support first generation Android devices