W3C is well underway in preparing a new version of the HTML specification. Central to efforts HTML5 is to make the language more suitable for use in web applications. The current HTML version is mainly created in the late 1990s. Then it was still fairly static documents that were the dominant content on the Web.
Previously it has been suggested that there will be many years before HTML5 is sufficiently tested for widespread use, but
According InfoWorld.com it may seem as though this is not the prevailing setting of the W3C.
During a press event in conjunction with the W3C Technical Plenary Week told W3C Philippe Le Hégaret that HTML5 will be moved into a phase that a candidate recommendation by the end of 2010.
- The phase will last for two years before final approval can happen, "said Le Hégaret according InfoWorld.com.
According SDTimes.com he expects that the major browser vendors will have customized browsers to HTML5 within that time.
Work on HTML5 is not without challenges. This concerns not least about the integrated support for playback of video, which will be part of the HTML5 video element. Browser providers have not agreed on the royalty-free video format to be used. So far, Mozilla and Opera decided to go for Theora format, while Apple are betting on the H.264 format. Google supports the two formats in Chrome, while it is still unknown what Microsoft may want to do.
The controversy is due not surprising questions about patent rights. For sites to deliver video in this way, can lead to conflict that you have to deliver video in two different formats.
Integrated support for video will also reduce the need for external technologies related to video playback. These are areas both Microsoft, Adobe and Apple to sell solutions.
Another area that is associated with a certain tension to, is a vector graphics standard SVG, which also will be part of HTML5. The excitement is because Microsoft does not here have said anything officially about what the company is thinking to do. Internet Explorer currently has no support for SVG, in contrast to all other major browsers.
Integrated support for vector graphics will also be able to reduce the need for the use of plug-in technologies like Flash and Silverlight, as vector graphics can be animated using open standards like JavaScript and SMIL (Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language). But according to Wikipedia has no browsers any more than limited support for SMIL today.
According InfoWorld.com said Le Hégaret that although Microsoft has not published its plans for Internet Explorer 9, so one should expect good news from the company on the SVG front.
