The best selling phone in America, Apple's iPhone, could be the last of the smartphones to get Flash.  At a slew of press events over the last few days, Adobe unveiled a new version of mobile version of Flash -- a leaner, faster, smart phone-aimed version of Flash 10.  The new version is optimized for ARM processors like the one used in the iPhone.

Any smartphone with a 200 MHz or better processor and 16 MB of RAM should be able to run the new version of Flash, opening many phones up to the software.  A "completely capable [Web] browser" is also required, implying support of typical standards.

Previously, Flash was only available on a few smartphones via Flash Lite, a greatly stripped down version of the software.  The Nokia N-series has it, and Verizon's LG EnV2 uses it to animate its home screen.  However, when it comes to Flash, most users are in the dark.  Thanks to a partnership with Qualcomm and ARM, Adobe plans to turn on a more full-featured version of Flash for many new users.

The new version will be available for phones running Symbian, Android, and Windows Mobile, among other platforms.  Qualcomm BREW feature phones, such as the LG Voyager and Samsung Delve will also support the new product.  Steve Sprigg, Qualcomm SVP of engineering states, "We've integrated the tech in a way that allows a Flash developer to author a full-blown app for the BREW mobile platform … and they haven't written any [additional] code."

Google's G1 and future Android smartphones will likely soon be getting the update, either over the air or in Google's store, although no official release date has been announced.  Flash was demoed fully working on a T-Mobile G1 phone, though.  Adobe's Anup Muraka adds, "It's our belief that you'll see an Android-based version of Flash in the coming months.  We've talked previously about Microsoft licensing Flash for use in Windows Mobile. We've been working closely with Nokia on getting it to work on the Symbian platform."

Mr. Muraka added that Adobe is in talks with Research In Motion about bringing Flash to Blackberries.

The addition will open up a new world of advertising possibilities for Google and others.  Flash apps will also be great asset as an animation and program platform tool.  Flash games or tools could be developed for smartphones, a seemingly intuitive match.

With all the Flash hoopla, the one party notably absent is Apple's iPhone.  Continuing its tradition of blocking features its customers want, Apple has blasted Flash saying that it will not support it in the foreseeable future.  Apple CEO Steve Jobs has stated that Flash "performs too slow to be useful" on the iPhone.  Apple's software developers' agreement bans Flash by introducing a provision prohibiting third-party software from "launch[ing] other executable code".  This bans interpreters like Flash.

It seems like Flash and the iPhone would be a logical fit, but Apple doesn't think so.  Adobe has tried to woo Apple first with ARM-support upgrades and now with even more ARM-processor optimization.  The iPhone's processor clearly can support Flash, and can support it well, but Apple remains obstinate in its refusal to adopt the technology.

Some in the iPhone rebel community have taken it upon themselves to release an underground version of Flash.  Belgian university consultant Thomas Joos has developed a multimedia toolkit for the iPhone that enables Flash Lite, a clear violation of Apple's developer agreement.

As to things of an official nature, it appears Windows Mobile phones, Google's phone(s), and RIM smartphones are finally on the verge of getting Flash.  And it looks like the iPhone may be the last one left out of the Flash party, due to its own decision not to come, despite numerous invitations.