This version is currently only available for Linux users, and can be obtained here. This decission was made because 64-bit Linux distributions don’t ship with a 32-bit browser by default. Neither do they usually offer an extended 32-bit emulation layer. The need for a native 64-bit flash player thus is the greatest for this platform.

Windows and Mac users should not worry, a version for their platform is in the make as well, and will be released soon. In the end, the final versions will all be released on the same time anyway.

I think this is a very, very good development. The community has been screaming for this to come out for years now. Many of us already had given up hope. Yes it is true that with using a custom wrapper, emulating or other means you could solve a lot of flash problems, but working native is always better!

The most significant improvement here is that with this new version, there is now support for effects and filters that are custom created by the designer. Also, for playing 3D elements and effects, the software can now directly make use of the computing power of your graphic-card. Further on, the layout possibilities for text and the audio-processing by the program have been improved.

To me, the most stunning fact however is that this release is so close to the new Silverlight by Microsoft. I don’t think it’s a coincidence these direct competitors both come up with their new version so close to each other.

Where Silverlight yesterday seemed hot news, and probably still is, it’s still in it’s infant shoes (although MS would like us to believe otherwise). The bad, or lack of, support in the cross-platform section, is definitely something to watch out for. Granted, Flash isn’t that wonderful on, for example, Linux either, but at least there is some support, and hopefully this will improve even more with version 10.

In my opinion Adobe has made a very smart move here, as it will probably result in slower adaptation of it’s competitor. For the moment, Flash player seems to stay the software of choice for multimedia content on the Web. Will it stay like this? Only time will tell…