Adobe has issued a rebuttal in relation to recent comments made Apple CEO Steve Jobs, calling them nothing more than "smokescreens". In a blog last week, Jobs hurled a number of allegations against Adobe (and more specifically, their Flash product) claiming that iPhone and iPad users were better off without it.

Initially, Adobe appeared to be taking the high road. In an early follow-up statement, President and CEO Shantanu Narayen stated that Adobe would be "committed to bringing Flash to any platform of which there is a screen". For all intents and purposes, Adobe seemed to be following the old adage "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again".

Adobe: Jobs' Comments Meant to 'Control'

But Adobe has since altered its wholesome stance, with the company now going so far as to claim that Steve Jobs is simply attempting to keep his customers "under control". (Source: itpro.co.uk)

Said Narayen, "We have demonstrated that through Adobe tools you could build content and applications and over 100 were accepted onto Apple's store. When you [Apple] resort to this licensing language, it is clear that it has nothing to do with technology."

The real conflict, Narayen believes, is not so much Adobe vs. Apple, but has more to do with Adobe's adherence to its "vision of multiplatform open systems." This runs against Apple's desire to keep their systems closed and controlled.

Mac Crashes: Adobe or Apple Problem?

Narayen also spoke out against allegations that Flash is the most common reason for Mac crashes, saying "If Flash is the number one reason Macs crash, which I am not aware of, then it has as much to do with the Apple operating system." (Source: neowin.net)

It will be interesting to see which side consumer loyalty will follow. On one hand Apple carries the larger "household name" status whereas Adobe is giving the impression that they are the company who is not afraid to speak for the people.