Adobe slams Jobs’ blog as a ‘smokescreen’
The chief executive of Adobe has hit back against Steve Jobs’ blog post, calling the accusations a smokescreen covering the real issue.


Adobe has responded to the attack from Apple chief executive Steve Jobs by calling the comments a "smokescreen."
Yesterday Steve Jobs wrote a blog throwing a number of allegations at Adobe and its Flash product, claiming iPhone and iPad users were better off without it.
However, Shantanu Narayen, chief executive of Adobe, believes it is just about Apple wanting to keep its users under control.
In a video interview with the Wall Street Journal, Narayen said: "The technology aspects of this article are really a smokescreen."
"We have demonstrated that through Adobe tools you could build content and applications [and] over 100 were accepted onto [Apple's] store so when you resort to this licensing language it is clear that it has nothing to do with technology."
Instead he believes their "business models" differ too much with Adobe wanting to stick to its "vision of multiplatform open systems" and Apple wanting everything done under its own supervision.
Narayen called Jobs' attack on Adobe's openness "amusing" and slammed his accusation of all of itsr products being 100 per cent proprietary as "patently false."
Get the ITPro daily newsletter
Sign up today and you will receive a free copy of our Future Focus 2025 report - the leading guidance on AI, cybersecurity and other IT challenges as per 700+ senior executives
When questioned on whether Flash was the main reason Macs crashed, he said: "If Flash is the number one reason Macs crash, which I am not aware of, then it has as much to do with the Apple operating system."
He added: "The technology is not the issue."
After taking a quick dig at the iPhone, saying he used a Google Nexus One handset, and the iPad, referring to it as a "good first generation device," Narayen concluded that is was time for customers to decide what tools they wanted to use, not for the likes of Apple.
Jennifer Scott is a former freelance journalist and currently political reporter for Sky News. She has a varied writing history, having started her career at Dennis Publishing, working in various roles across its business technology titles, including ITPro. Jennifer has specialised in a number of areas over the years and has produced a wealth of content for ITPro, focusing largely on data storage, networking, cloud computing, and telecommunications.
Most recently Jennifer has turned her skills to the political sphere and broadcast journalism, where she has worked for the BBC as a political reporter, before moving to Sky News.
-
The Race Is On for Higher Ed to Adapt: Equity in Hyflex Learning
By ITPro
-
Google faces 'first of its kind' class action for search ads overcharging in UK
News Google faces a "first of its kind" £5 billion lawsuit in the UK over accusations it has a monopoly in digital advertising that allows it to overcharge customers.
By Nicole Kobie
-
Warning issued over “incomplete” fix for Adobe ColdFusion vulnerability
News An incomplete fix for a vulnerability disclosure could be placing users at risk, researchers warned
By Ross Kelly
-
Adobe forced to patch its own failed security update
News Company issues new fix for e-commerce vulnerability after researchers bypass the original update
By Danny Bradbury
-
Ask more from your CMS
Whitepaper How to get the most value in the shortest timespan
By ITPro
-
Adobe battles fake photos with editing tags
News Photoshop will include new tagging tools later this year to help fight against misinformation and deep fakes
By Nicole Kobie
-
Adobe Photoshop Elements 2019 review: Trapped in the photo-editing middle ground
Reviews A once peerless beginner’s photo-editing package that’s past its prime
By Barry Collins
-
How Adobe saved BT £630,000
Sponsored Adobe’s digital signature platform is saving time and money - and forging stronger connections between businesses and customers
By ITPro
-
Don't settle when it comes to creativity
Sponsored Getting the best out of your creative design team means equipping them with the best software
By ITPro
-
The benefits of a subscription service
Sponsored Why software vendors are increasingly moving to a subscription model
By ITPro