This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-35540187

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Flash banner ads banished by Google Flash banner ads banished by Google
(about 1 hour later)
Google is to banish online ads built in Adobe Flash from its advertising networks, the company has announced. Google is to banish most ads built in Adobe Flash from its advertising networks, the company has announced.
From 30 June, its AdWords and DoubleClick networks will no longer accept new "display ads" such as banners built in Flash.From 30 June, its AdWords and DoubleClick networks will no longer accept new "display ads" such as banners built in Flash.
From January 2017 it will stop displaying Flash ads on websites - but some video ads built with Flash will still be accepted.From January 2017 it will stop displaying Flash ads on websites - but some video ads built with Flash will still be accepted.
Google said it wanted to "encourage" advertisers to switch to HTML5.Google said it wanted to "encourage" advertisers to switch to HTML5.
Today, immersive websites and streaming video can be delivered using HTML5 - an open-source coding language that works across all modern web browsers and devices.Today, immersive websites and streaming video can be delivered using HTML5 - an open-source coding language that works across all modern web browsers and devices.
Adobe Flash is a proprietary technology that can be added to web browsers to enable animations, interactivity and streaming video on websites.Adobe Flash is a proprietary technology that can be added to web browsers to enable animations, interactivity and streaming video on websites.
It was first released in 1996, at a time when the web was largely static.It was first released in 1996, at a time when the web was largely static.
But the software has been plagued by security problems, and has been criticised for affecting computer performance and battery life.But the software has been plagued by security problems, and has been criticised for affecting computer performance and battery life.
Flash failed to make a successful transition to mobile devices, so websites that rely on it do not work as intended on smartphones and tablets.Flash failed to make a successful transition to mobile devices, so websites that rely on it do not work as intended on smartphones and tablets.
Google's advertising networks AdWords and DoubleClick place promotional content on more than a million websites.Google's advertising networks AdWords and DoubleClick place promotional content on more than a million websites.
The company said: "We've rolled out tools to encourage advertisers to use HTML5, so you can reach the widest possible audience across screens."The company said: "We've rolled out tools to encourage advertisers to use HTML5, so you can reach the widest possible audience across screens."
In August, online shopping giant Amazon announced it would no longer accept Flash ads on its website.In August, online shopping giant Amazon announced it would no longer accept Flash ads on its website.
The BBC is currently working to move its video streaming service iPlayer away from Flash too.The BBC is currently working to move its video streaming service iPlayer away from Flash too.
Adobe has developed its own HTML5 tools to help developers produce content that works across most modern devices.Adobe has developed its own HTML5 tools to help developers produce content that works across most modern devices.
But the company said it would support Flash as long as customer demand remained.But the company said it would support Flash as long as customer demand remained.
In November, it told the BBC: "Until alternative technologies accommodate all our customers' needs, for example in delivery of HD video content on the desktop, we will continue to support Flash."In November, it told the BBC: "Until alternative technologies accommodate all our customers' needs, for example in delivery of HD video content on the desktop, we will continue to support Flash."