Adobe isn't waiting for Apple to help with developing its Flash player for the iPhone. Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen confirmed the company is already working on the project, and is using Apple's iPhone software developer kit to make it happen, according to the Wall Street Journal.

"We believe Flash is synonymous with the Internet experience, and we are committed to bringing Flash to the iPhone. We have evaluated [the iPhone SDK] and we think we can develop an iPhone Flash player ourselves," Mr. Narayen said during a conference call with investors on Tuesday.

Flash is Adobe's multimedia tool for video content, online games, and interactive Web sites. Apple CEO Steve Jobs has claimed that the iPhone doesn't sport Flash already because of performance issues.

By not involving itself in the iPhone Flash development project, Apple is distancing itself from the multimedia player should it perform poorly on its combination iPod and smart phone. While Apple is keeping the iPhone Flash Player at arm's length, it doesn't appear that the company will prohibit Adobe from distributing its application through App Store, Apple's online system for purchasing and downloading iPhone and iPod touch applications.

Adobe has not set an iPhone Flash release date yet, but it won't be before the June launch of Apple's App Store.