Is Flash built-in to Google Chrome?

[jent]

I love my new MacBook Air and I'm trying to squeeze every bit of battery life out of it as possible. As a result, I'm taking a different approach from my MacBook and not installing Flash on my MacBook Air. There is the occasional piece of content on the web that's Flash only, so I was wondering if instead of installing Flash altogether, can I simply use Google Chrome when I want to play such content? I've heard that Flash is built-in to Chrome, and I use Safari as my primary browser. This way I could keep my current workflow as it is, and simply launch Chrome whenever I want to play Flash content. Would that work?

 

[tjb1]

Yes Flash is pre-installed, you can disable it or get a plugin to use it when needed.

chrome://plugins/

to disable it, or I just use "FlashControl" to use when needed.

FlashControl - http://www.chromeextensions.org/appearance-functioning/flashcontrol-2/

 

[Hellhammer]

Or just install ClickToFlash and you can decide what Flash content you want to load. Many people, including me, use that plug-in with their laptops, it's very useful.

 

[jent]

Yes Flash is pre-installed, you can disable it or get a plugin to use it when needed.

And am I wrong in thinking that if I download the standalone Flash installer, it runs system-wide? Does that mean when I'm using Safari (but not on pages that have Flash content), it still drains more battery? What about if I'm not even using Safari—is it then somehow still taking up extra CPU cycles?

 

[tjb1]

And am I wrong in thinking that if I download the standalone Flash installer, it runs system-wide? Does that mean when I'm using Safari (but not on pages that have Flash content), it still drains more battery? What about if I'm not even using Safari—is it then somehow still taking up extra CPU cycles?

I believe the Flash Installer just installs it to the specific browser you choose, you cant update the Flash in Chrome unless Google releases it.

 

[Damers]

Or just install ClickToFlash and you can decide what Flash content you want to load. Many people, including me, use that plug-in with their laptops, it's very useful.

Chrome has a 'click to flash' option built right in, no need for separate extension. Type chrome://flags/ in the address box, scroll down about half the page and enable "Click to play". Then go to Preferences > Under the hood > Content settings and the plugin menu should have another option, "Click to play". All flash (and other plugins) will not load until you say so. Chrome extensions require a separate process and memory allocation, doing this saves that.