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Adobe CTO: Apple trying to wall off the Web; Jobs as railroad baron?

Adobe's CTO argues that Apple is like a railroad company in the 1800s trying to wall off a key commerce route---mobile apps. The solution: Adobe is focusing on Android and everything that's not Apple controlled.
Written by Larry Dignan, Contributor

Adobe Systems CTO Kevin Lynch isn't mincing words about Apple. At the Web 2.0 Expo in San Francisco, Lynch compared Apple to the deployment of railroads in the 1800s and moves to restrict compatibility.

Lynch's volley, which occurred during a brief stage appearance, indicates that the rhetoric between the two companies is increasing. Lynch's talk comes as antitrust regulators are reportedly pondering an antitrust review of Apple. Adobe reportedly has requested the review since Apple won't use Adobe's Flash on the iPad or iPhone.

Also: Apple vs. Adobe on antitrust: Should regulators dictate what's in an SDK? The debate

Meanwhile, changes to Apple's iPhone SDK precludes developers from using Flash. Lynch said that it's not Apple's role to tell developers what to make. In a nutshell, Apple is trying to wall off the Web, said Lynch.

Here are the comments directly from Lynch:

Apple's response to Lynch is all in CEO Steve Jobs' Thoughts on Flash missive.

As I noted Tuesday, it's unclear whether Apple can be forced to alter its SDK in a way that would allow Flash. The debate may be decided by the Feds at some point. In the meantime, we can all just enjoy the verbal jousting.

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