title: Replacing Apache Flex with HTML5
body: <p>I am writing an application which requires access to the microphone of a device to determine instantaneous volume levels. The app will have a web version, iOS version, and Android version, and must be compatible with as many devices as possible, since the particular user base our application targets may not be able to switch browsers easily.</p>
  
  <p>At first, I looked into using HTML5 for my application. However, it does not seem to be viable for my purposes, because I can't find any cross-platform way to get instantaneous microphone input and many users may be using an out-of-date version of their browser, which would not support HTML5. <strong>Is there any tool which alleviates these challenges and would allow me to use HTML5?</strong></p>
  
  <p>As a replacement, I began looking into Apache Flex. It seems to have all of the features I seek: It is cross-platform, allows me to access microphone volume levels, and will work even on very old devices, as long as they have Flash installed. However, <em>many</em> people predict the imminent death of Flex and strongly argue against using it, opting rather for HTML5. <strong>For my purposes, is Flex an appropriate tool, or would it still not be recommended?</strong></p>