Although the Samsung Galaxy Nexus still isn't available here in the U.S., the first Ice Cream Sandwich handset did go on sale last week in the U.K. When the first owners of the new Nexus got their mitts on the device and tried to load up their favorite Flash-powered website, though, they discovered that not only is Flash Player not preloaded on the Galaxy Nexus, but it's not available for download in the Android Market either. Google confirmed at the tail end of last week that Flash had yet to be updated to support Android 4.0 and that it was up to Adobe to bring ICS compatibility to the app. Today Adobe confirmed that it plans to do just that, saying that it plans to release "one more version" of Flash Player for mobile that'll include support for ICS. The update is expected to be out before the end of 2011. After that, Adobe will only update the app to provide bug and security fixes. The official word straight from Adobe:

"Adobe will release one more version of the Flash Player for mobile browsing, which will provide support for Android 4.0, and one more release of the Flash Linux Porting Kit - both expected to be released before the end of this year. After that time, Adobe will continue to provide critical bug fixes and security updates."

This news isn't altogether surprising after Adobe's announcement that it plans to cease development on Flash Player for mobile. Whether it's good news or bad depends on your thoughts on Flash itself, but hey, at least Adobe is whipping up one more version of the app for all of the Flash fanatics out there. There's no word yet on precisely when the ICS-ready version of Flash Player will be released, but the good news is that those of us planning to pick up the Galaxy Nexus in the U.S. won't have to live a Flash-less life for too long (if at all). More as we get it.

Via Phone Scoop, SlashGear, Pocket-lint