HTML5 – The future of web

Possessing the ability of running on multiple web browsers with stable performance and the enhancement in browsing speed, resource consumption and capabilities, HTML 5 (Hyper Text Mark Up Language 5^th generation) is said to be bringing new experiences for web users.

Simple and always compatible

Brought to development since 2004, it is believed to replace the domination of Flash. 75% websites all over the world are using Flash – an advanced technology monopolized by Adobe which contributed a lot in bringing animated effect on to websites’ interface. HTML 5 can do the same things. So, what is the advantages of HTML 5 against Flash ?

The answer is: Flash is an extension and it requires an add-on/plug-in installed inside the web browser to be viewed while HTML 5 is a standard and therefore it requires nothing. That means users can simply enjoy online videos/music/video games right on the web without considering if the browser needs any extension or not, and the problem of viewing those pages on mobile devices will be solved easily.

An animated demo of HTML 5 – Liquid Particles on spielzeugz.de. Visit http://spielzeugz.de/html5/liquid-particles.html for full demo.

Makes media easier than ever

An example of the power of HTML 5 is how it displays audio and videos. If HTML 4.0 can display images with only single tag – for example

<img src=”imageURL/sample.jpg”>

Will put an image with the name is sample.jpg to the website

then HTML 5 can do that with audio and video, similarly:

<audio src=”audioURL/sample.mp3”>

<video src=”videoURL/sample.wmv”>

(some additional attributes will be needed for more specification)

A video demo of HTML5 on www.kaltura.org, video on HTML5 can also have basic playing functions like play/stop/back/forward, volume control, fullscreen etc.. See more on  http://www.kaltura.org/apis/html5lib/kplayer-examples/Player_Themable.html

The road ahead

HTML 5 is now available on mobile browsers which based on Webkit platform, such as iOS 4.2, Android, etc… and is intended to be officially published on 2012, then will get fully interoperable on 2022. Although the road ahead remains lots of challenges and so many things will need to be done before we can witness its power, HTML 5 is still a potential technology that could lead to a revolution of web content because of its performance and abilities. So, be ready.

·         For more information on HTML5 tag reference: http://www.w3schools.com/html5/html5_reference.asp

·         HTML 5 Introduction and Tutorial: http://www.w3schools.com/html5/html5_intro.asp

·         HTML 5 on wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTML5

·         Engadget.com – Microsoft weighs in: 'the future of the web is HTML5: http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/30/microsoft-weighs-in-the-future-of-the-web-is-html5/

·         PC World Australia – How to use HTML5 on your website today http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/352869/how_use_html5_your_website_today/