Flash tricks for iPhone - but Apple still says 'no'

Adobe Systems says developers for Apple's iPhone will be able to use its video-enabling software, Flash, to create applications for the device for the first time.

Though it is an important milestone, the announcement is not the full step many iPhone users have been waiting for.

Adobe says its new support for iPhone applications will not let iPhone users browse web content built with Flash technology, such as video sites like Hulu and many online games.

That's because Apple does not allow Flash to run on the iPhone.

But it lets developers replace existing web content as iPhone applications.

San Jose, California-based Adobe Systems said that a beta, or test version of Flash Professional CS5 will be available later this year. CS5 stands for Creative Suite 5, the upcoming version of the software package Adobe sells to professional web developers and designers.

Adobe's Flash Player 10.1, which launched yesterday, works with nearly every smart phone - but not the iPhone.