The Web is Speaking a New Language
In the technology world, consumers often lament how outdated a product becomes almost as soon as it is hits the store shelves. Take home a new camera, phone or computer and the next day something much better is available. That is what makes HTML 5 such an interesting topic. HTML is the language of the internet and webmasters have been using the same version, HTML 4, since 1997. In 2012, however, we should see a shift in websites as developers learn the first new language in 15 years. This will bring changes to many popular websites, particularly if you view them on a handheld device or tablet. The new language may even diminish the need for apps on such devices and make them much easier for the average person to use.
First, why a change after 15 years? HTML 4 was created when the internet was still a fairly new concept to most people and websites provided the basics, mostly static information or up-to-date news in text format. Laptops were barely in use, so there was little need for mobile websites. Now, however, most internet users enjoy watching videos, playing games and interacting with websites and other users of those websites (known as dynamic content), often on phones or tablets. In order to accomplish these tasks, websites need to use plug-ins and other programs such as Silverlight and Flash. The problem most users face with these plug-ins is they need to be updated a lot. The goal of HTML 5 is to eliminate the need to use these "extras" so much by incorporating dynamic content elements into the web's main language. While these plug-ins probably won't go away, they will be used less.
What does this mean to the average user? Hopefully, the new language will make it easier for webmasters to design pages that run smoothly on any browser without the need for third-party software. This should mean less time spent downloading and updating all those plug-ins. Another bonus is, if the pages are designed with the dynamic content included, mobile devices should be able to just call up a website through a browser without the need to install a special app. For example, YouTube videos currently won't play on Safari on an iPad or iPhone because the website uses Flash, but if the site is redesigned to use HTML 5, the videos would play on Safari and there would be no need to use a YouTube app. Without having to install a lot of apps, there should be more space on your tablet or phone for more pictures, music and videos. Like the plug-ins, the apps probably won't disappear but you might not need to use as many.
So when should we see these changes? According to HTML5 Mobile, most phones and tablets already incorporate the basics into their browsers. Future updates should add the advanced features to these devices. Desktop browsers are also incorporating support for HTML 5 in the latest releases, so you may be reading this on an HTML 5-ready browser. If you want to check, you can use the HTML 5 test site. Most of the results mean more to webmasters than web users, but you get an overall score and a score for different categories, such as video and audio. If your browser gets a high score (at least 150), you can take a look at some neat websites that already use HTML 5 by visiting the eBiz MBA site's list of the Top 10 HTML 5 websites of 2012. With the software in place, it is just a matter of the web learning a new language.
First, why a change after 15 years? HTML 4 was created when the internet was still a fairly new concept to most people and websites provided the basics, mostly static information or up-to-date news in text format. Laptops were barely in use, so there was little need for mobile websites. Now, however, most internet users enjoy watching videos, playing games and interacting with websites and other users of those websites (known as dynamic content), often on phones or tablets. In order to accomplish these tasks, websites need to use plug-ins and other programs such as Silverlight and Flash. The problem most users face with these plug-ins is they need to be updated a lot. The goal of HTML 5 is to eliminate the need to use these "extras" so much by incorporating dynamic content elements into the web's main language. While these plug-ins probably won't go away, they will be used less.
What does this mean to the average user? Hopefully, the new language will make it easier for webmasters to design pages that run smoothly on any browser without the need for third-party software. This should mean less time spent downloading and updating all those plug-ins. Another bonus is, if the pages are designed with the dynamic content included, mobile devices should be able to just call up a website through a browser without the need to install a special app. For example, YouTube videos currently won't play on Safari on an iPad or iPhone because the website uses Flash, but if the site is redesigned to use HTML 5, the videos would play on Safari and there would be no need to use a YouTube app. Without having to install a lot of apps, there should be more space on your tablet or phone for more pictures, music and videos. Like the plug-ins, the apps probably won't disappear but you might not need to use as many.
So when should we see these changes? According to HTML5 Mobile, most phones and tablets already incorporate the basics into their browsers. Future updates should add the advanced features to these devices. Desktop browsers are also incorporating support for HTML 5 in the latest releases, so you may be reading this on an HTML 5-ready browser. If you want to check, you can use the HTML 5 test site. Most of the results mean more to webmasters than web users, but you get an overall score and a score for different categories, such as video and audio. If your browser gets a high score (at least 150), you can take a look at some neat websites that already use HTML 5 by visiting the eBiz MBA site's list of the Top 10 HTML 5 websites of 2012. With the software in place, it is just a matter of the web learning a new language.
- Laura N.
Comments
Post a Comment