How do I animate graphics for ipad, a windows user who might jump ship

Question

Please read this recent post that I put up on the Adobe Flash forums site; only got one reply which wasn't much use to me, maybe you guys can help.
No I'm not on here to moan about Mac not supporting Flash (and yes I know that in theory Apple have done a U turn and are prepared to support it, albeit through gritted teeth).  I have a problem though, I have been using Adobe since, well forever really, and am Windows based, plus I've always managed to keep both Mac and Windows users happy as I am largely video and After Effects based.  I've dabbled with Flash and Director and some HTML coding so I am not completely naive when it comes to interactive presentations.  This time I am a bit stumped though, I have an international client and they have decided as a company to invest in ipads for all their staff, so I am now being asked about interactive presentations including graphics and video content.  Well if any other client had asked this of me I would have brushed up on my Flash and probably developed a straight forward presentation (nothing too fancy is required, no back end data base stuff etc, just a few animated buttons, splash screens and video).  It is probably not agood idea coming onto an Adobe forum and asking what other program I can use for similar projects on the Mac, but that is my starting point.  I know about Keynote, which I perceive a bit like Powerpoint (Micky Mouse comes to mind, I'm asking for trouble saying that I guess), so what exactly is the programe that is used on Macs to do similar tasks as Flash, does it exist?  Before I decide to persist with Flash (and I guess that I am going to be nudged in that direction as I am on an Adobe forum) I'd like to know what is its rival on Mac.  I have done a bit of research and am looking at Xcode4, Cocoa and it all seems a bit confusing and I certainly don't want to learn, C, C++ or one of it's derivatives, plus ipads use IOS a rather pared down version of the full Mac OS.  If I were a Mac graphic designer and I wanted to design an interactive presentation for the ipad (or Mac for that matter) what professional program would I be using?  There you go a very simple question from a very long winded explanation of my problem.
Here is the reply I got form one of the other forum users:-
As far as I know, Jobs was putting all his eggs into HTML5, so you probably want to see how he and the rest of the team are coming along with that spec (estimates are between 3 to 10 years for a final spec release).  I believe you'll need to learn a number of other things (css, javascript, jQuery, ajax, etc) to make it all work together to mimic what it can of a Flash version.
As far as video goes... http://www.informationweek.com/news/hardware/desktop/225701855?subSect ion=News
(Yeah, you're less likely to get positive/useful feedback in a Flash forum... try a Mac forum, better yet, an iPad forum)
Any help much appreciated

Answer 1

Hi Mitchell,
I'll try to help you answering few questions. I'll be short now because dinner is almost ready.
My background and experience is web/print designer, but I have been researching and studying iPad since the original is out (I got iPad and iPad 2). I work in Windows environment, I actually embrace the iPad situation.
Ok, basically you want to have "interactive presentations including graphics and video content" for client?
The best answer for that at the moment is: HTML5, jQuery/JavaScript, and CSS. I am sure with those 3 can get something like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wc3fghSJvBM
That's actually an app. Obviously native App has some advantages over WebApp. Take a look at how Google tackle the iPad with its webapp. Lots of great example. Google uses a lot of jQuery in a smart way.
Maybe soon Adobe products will adapt and utilize more HTML5 for iPad. Maybe Flash would eventually go to iPad, who knows.
I actually manage to live "without Flash" and be more efficient with presentation. Less bling and splashy interaction, but still manage to give a "new" experience. I would probably ask the client to wait a bit. Study the available interactive magazines (Wired, GQ, Victoria Secret etc) and websites that utilize only HTML5, jQuery, and CSS to get that "Flash" feel.
There are really awesome Flash websites over the last few years, before iPad came along. We have gone almost "too much" with what Flash can do in term of giving interactive and layers and layers of interactive eye candies UI. Maybe it's time to be more efficient. Save the pixels for what really more important.
Anyhow, try a simple hack: use and experiment Splashtop app or similar app that allow mirroring of PC/Mac into the iPad. This way, you could have Flash on your iPad, as long there is a connected PC/Mac via Wi-Fi.
Try also presentation viewer for iPad, from Prezi.
Remember one thing: It does not have to be the iPad. We know iPad is cool, but if other tables (Android tablets) can actually view Flash and the experience is fine, then go for it. My opinion: Flash is not yet for multi-touch experience.
Tablet revolution is still really young, so, it's time to experiment.