14 DAY TRIAL // One of the great features that Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 10 browser arrived with in Windows 8 Release Preview was support for websites featuring Adobe Flash Content.
Microsoft and Adobe worked closely on the inclusion of a new power-optimized, touch-friendly Adobe Flash Player in Windows 8 RP, so as to expand the range of websites accessible through the Metro flavor of Internet Explorer.
In fact, the Redmond-based software giant notes that Metro style IE10 with Flash on Windows 8 will provide users with access to high quality content, especially when compared to what other tablets can deliver.
The same integrated Adobe Flash Player is being used for both desktop and Metro Internet Explorer 10. Moreover, IE10 on the desktop delivers the same full Flash support as previous versions of the browser, while also offering support for other 3rd party plug-ins.
When it comes to the Metro style IE in Windows 8 Release Preview, however, no support for 3rd party ActiveX controls or plug-ins is available, Rob Mauceri, group program manager, Internet Explorer, explains.
Moreover, not all sites can play Flash content on Metro style IE. Only those who are listed in the Flash section of the Compatibility View (CV) list can, Microsoft announced.
For users, this translates into a better experience when accessing these sites through the Metro flavor of Internet Explorer 10. This involves more responsive content, increased battery life, compliance with Metro style user experience guidelines, and the like.
While not all websites rely on these capabilities, which means that they are not supported in the Metro UI browser, developers do have the possibility to optimize them and have them submitted for approval on the aforementioned list.
Devs can also deliver HTML5 content for the Metro IE, and can also require for their sites to be launched in the Desktop flavor of the browser.
“Developers can also request that their site is considered for addition to the CV list for Flash,” Rob Mauceri also notes.
Specific info on what developers can do to ensure that their sites meet all the requirements to be Windows 8 ready can be found on MSDN. Additionally, Microsoft made available documentation on how they can create experiences with Flash that play well in Metro style IE.