Adobe’s Flash Technology Headed to HDTVs

— -- Coming soon to a TV screen near you - Flash. Adobe says it is working to bring its Flash technology to Net-connected TVs that will be able to playback videos and offer Web-like interactivity. Adobe announced its push into home theater devices including HDTVs, set-top boxes, and Blu-ray players on Monday.

The company says it has forged a partnership with Intel and set-top box manufacturers. It also says it has partnered with content and cable companies such as Disney, Netflix, Comcast, and The New York Times. The first TVs to include Flash technology that Adobe is working to develop are expected to show up on retail shelves next year, Adobe says.

Flash interactivity has actually already made it to HDTVs from LG, Samsung, Sony, and Vizio in form of Yahoo Widgets. PC World spotted many HDTV models at this past Consumer Electronics Show sporting Yahoo Widgets. Yahoo has touted partnerships with hardware and content partners such as Intel, Netflix, and Google's YouTube division.

I love the idea of having Flash-based video (Hulu and YouTube) accessible through my TV without having to use third-party hardware such as a set-top-box. My fingers are crossed the Flash technology won't be tweaked to deliver pop-up ads, annoying interstitial ads, and contextually relevant Google banner ads while watching primetime TV from my couch.

What's next for Adobe to concur after invading our PCs and HDTVs?

Adobe is slowly penetrating the mobile phone market also, with a slimmed-down version of the Flash player already available for various smartphones. Apple iPhone and iPod Touch devices are next expected to get flash video capabilities, together with Google Android phones.