In a surprise announcement, Adobe Systems said Monday that Flash developers can bring their applications to Apple's iPhone, a domain of great interest that has been outside the limits of programming technology.

Due to the restrictions of Apple, however, Flash does not come in the way most people experience, a plug-in Web browser. Instead, programmers can change the Flash applications on the iPhone native applications using Adobe Flash Professional CS5 development tool, currently in testing phase, then offer their programs for download on Apple App Store.

"This is a great first step in the right direction," said Heidi Voltmer, product marketing for Adobe Flash.

The approach highlights the tension between Apple, which tightly controls the iPhone, in an effort to ensure a good user experience, and others who want a place in the first-class mobile device on the market today.

Adobe Back door approach is still an important step for the company, however, that wants to make sure that Flash is an important foundation for Internet-based applications. Developers who are familiar with Flash Adobe method is an easier way to take their applications to the iPhone world if they are not experts in coding for the phone and its close cousin, the iPod Touch.

Apple did not immediately comment for this article.

Some beta testers Flash Professional CS5 are taking advantage of the technique, including BlueskyNorth, Breakdesign, FlashGameLicense.com, Muchosmedia, PushButton laboratories, and Bowler Hat Games.

"With the ability to create applications for the iPhone in the beta version of Flash Professional CS5, I need to learn a new programming language or the plethora of tools that inevitably accompany development," said Josh Tynjala, founder of the Games Bowler Hat, in a statement. "Instead, I can spend more time exploring ways to make my games like Chroma circuit more fun on mobile devices like the iPhone and increasing the income of my business."

Adobe ultimate goal remains the same: to get Flash on the iPhone with its Safari browser integrated. "My view is that there is only one web," said Chief Technology Officer Kevin Lynch, in an interview. Shown Adobe Flash applications in its Max developer conference in Los Angeles on Monday, where Lynch gave the keynote address.

Flash Player 10.1, due in beta later this year and the final form in the first half of 2010, is spreading to almost every other smart phones out there: Google Android, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, Palm WebOS, Nokia and Symbian.

Why not the iPhone, too? "The Apple iPhone SDK (software development kit) terms of the license does not allow interpreted code at runtime, so Adobe is not able to provide Flash Player in Safari on the iPhone without the support of Apple," said Adobe in a statement.

Voltmer made no comment on the status of ongoing discussions with Apple to create Flash Player directly from the iPhone. But he did say that people visit the Adobe web site searching.

It is unclear how easily translate Flash applications for the iPhone, and most people will not have the opportunity to test until the public beta is released later this year. There are some limitations, Voltmer said.

First, the software must be written in Flash ActionScript 3, not before 2 ActionScript. On the other hand, can not use the video because of the restrictions of Apple, said.

It could also have practical limits of memory, processing power and graphics. PC last year with Flash Player has a computing capacity much more than a modern iPhone 3GS.

The iPhone and iPod Touch has some features that are well suited to mobile gaming, however, and programmers can use. That includes the multi interface and the accelerometer that detects the orientation of the device, said Adrian Ludwig, a member of the Adobe Flash team.