In this deadly war between the ever popular Adobe Flash and the new HTML5 alternative, web developers all over are frantically trying to keep up with the new changes. I have covered many of the basics of HTML5 vs Flash in some of my previous articles. For lack of time, I will not go into the details, but if you are interested, I suggest you read my article entitled HTML5 vs Flash.

At the time of writing the before mentioned article, I was pretty confident that Flash was dying fast. Now, I’m not so sure! In the last few months, several things have changed. Number one is the release of the Apple iPhone 4. Number two is the release of the HTC Evo 4G from Sprint. Number three is the plan to release Android 2.2. Number four is the simple fact that Internet Explorer still doesn’t support most aspects of HTML5. Number five is the announcement of the Windows Phone 7 series.

First is the release of the iPhone 4. Out of all five of these major changes, this is the only one that supports HTML5 in its war against Flash. Let me just start by saying that people really love Apple products (especially the iPhone). Even though there are phones out there that can do a lot more than the iPhone can, people still love the iPhone simply because it has the name “Apple” on the back! Rightly so, I mean Apple does make good products, but lets face it – they’re not the best! Anyway, the new iPhone 4 gives a lot of people a good reason to buy. The reason this is so good for HTML5 is because the iPhone doesn’t, and probably never will support Flash. HTML5 is a big push for Apple (heck, they practically invented the thing), and the fact that people love the iPhone so much will really help that push.

The second change is the release of the HTC Evo from Sprint. This is really huge for Flash because the HTC Evo is the first popular smartphone to support it! A lot of people like the HTC Evo even better than the iPhone. I mean, the camera is better, the display is bigger, the monthly price is better, the internet speed is better, and it supports Flash!! HTML5 is also supported, but that is not something Sprint is trying to advertise.

When Google announced the release of Android 2.2, web developers all over the world stood in awe because Flash is available (and not just Flash lite). Although it may take some time for all of the Android phones out there to get the update (some may never get it), once it is fully implemented, Android 2.2 may very well kill HTML5.

Microsoft Internet Explorer has never fully supported HTML5 and although it promises to, I doubt they ever will (at least not without a fight)! After all, supporting HTML5 will pretty much ensure that it will win and will eventually cause millions (that were previously skeptical of the lack of Flash support) to flock to the iPhone! Might I remind you that Apple and Microsoft have never been on happy terms and the last thing Microsoft wants, is to help Apple out. They also want to get all phone users to buy the new Windows Phone 7 (which brings me to my last change).

The fifth (and last) major change in this painful battle is the announcement of the Windows Phone 7 series. This phone may very well be the first success of Microsoft as it regards the mobile industry. Apple knows (and has known for many years) that in the next decade or so, browsing the web on a computer will be unheard of. No no, people will have tablets and phones, but the average person won’t even own or care to own a computer! Apple knows this, but Microsoft is no fool and knows this also. In fact, they have tried and failed more than once to create a smartphone that everyone will love. Up to now, people have given up on Microsoft as a mobile producer. However, they may just win out with the release of the new Windows Phone 7 series. We still don’t know much about this phone (or series of phones) coming later in the year. But what we do know is simple. It will support Flash and it won’t support HTML5. I think the reason for this is obvious and the same as the reason Microsoft won’t support HTML5 in the Internet Explorer browser.

Personally, I think that HTML5 is a better option in the end. I realize that it won’t be too easy for us developers in the beginning. But seriously – was anything?! We must understand, however, that this is not a war of which web component is better. This is a war of what the people want. And, right now it looks like the people may still want Flash.