iSmashPhone

Don't Expect to See Flash on the iPhone. Ever.

Although Adobe recently announced that it is developing a version of its enormously popular Flash software for the iPhone, don't expect to see it on the iPhone.  Not now, not ever.  Michele Turner, Flash product manager for Adobe, recently stated that while the company is working on a version for the iPhone, "…it really is up to Apple."  And, trust me, Apple's simply not going to permit it.

Why?  Oh, come on, you know—it's Apple.  Flash software is no longer simply an animation program, but a full-blown application that allows programmers to launch other programs within Flash, run multimedia apps independently, and generally serve as a platform for just about any type of program you can think of.  And, trust me, Apple's not going to permit that.  Apple always wants very tight control over the apps that can be run on its products and permitting Flash on the iPhone would open a big door to the competition by permitting all kinds of apps to be run without Apple's permission and allowing media downloads that would compete with Apple's iTunes store. 

iPhone users are limited in the websites that will function on the device without Flash—significantly limiting their real web browsing (may be not) - but does Apple care?  Nah.  Apple's gotta protect Apple, first and foremost, so the user be damned. 

Diced Pork: THQ Brings "Pass The Pigs" To The iPhone

I'm sure I'm not the only person who's gone through life blissfully unaware of the game "Pass the Pigs."  Nonetheless, THQ Wireless has seen fit to bring out a handset version of this game.

Originally a dice game, PtP is played with two plastic pigs, each with a single spot on their side.  The pigs are thrown, dice-style, and points are awarded -- or taken away -- based on how each pig lands (on its back, on its side, upright, etc.).  The first person to reach 100 points is the winner.  Brags THQ:

"Gather up to four friends and pass the pigs in classic mode or work hard to bring home the bacon in the all new "Pigs Life" story mode. With simple controls and over a thousand potential outcomes, Pass the Pigs is destined to become a mobile classic."

If you've got US$2.99 burning a hole in your pocket, and an iPhone (with 2.0 Software Update) or iPod Touch, feel free to, um, pig out...

[Available from the iTunes store]

Better Backup Power for the iPhone! What Doesn’t It Do?

Richard|Solo has introduced a greatly improved Backup Battery for the iPhone.  The new Richard|Solo 1800 has 50% more capacity than their first version, an improved latching mechanism and support brace so that you can use your iPhone while charging it with the 1800, a dual-port USB connection for your car charger and an AC connection, a white LED flashlight, and a red laser point!  And it can even be used to recharge your iPod.

The price?  Only $69.95.  If you’ve read this far, why haven’t you ordered one by now?

[Buy here]

Also, see our list of battery packs for iPhone.