We can't say there's a ton of surprises here, but, if you're curious to know exactly where Google stands on the whole
HTML5 / Flash debate, the company has now laid out its position in a post on its official YouTube API Blog. The short of it is that while Google says it has been "excited" about HTML5 for some time now and that the <video> tag is a "big step forward for open standards," it says that Flash will continue to play a "critical role in video distribution," and that it remains the "best platform" for YouTube's requirements today. Of course, Google also didn't let slip the opportunity to once again talk up the recently-announced
WebM video standard, which it says is the open video format the web has been waiting for. It isn't saying, however, that it will replace Flash for video, and notes that Adobe itself has committed to supporting VP8, the video codec for WebM. Hit up the link below to read the company's complete argument for yourself.
posted June 30th 2010 6:32PM
Flash is the way to go.
@VGPOP
have you seen chrome experiments?
http://www.chromeexperiments.com/
@VGPOP
Flash is the way to go now, but some improvements would be welcome in the next few years.
@VGPOP
Even if WebM is the future, it will still be wrapped around Flash . . so Flash is here to stay no matter what they say . . and by they, you know who.
@VGPOP
This is why I love flash
www.2advanced.com
@VGPOP
They said it right. HTML5 will eventually be the future near term. But Flash is still the best solution now.
@Plazmic Flame
Funnily enough, that's why I hate Flash.
@Plazmic Flame
Welcome to 2Advanced Studios.
We have detected that you do not have the Flash 8 player installed.
Please Click Here to download the Flash plugin.
This is why I love flash also.
@VGPOP that's why no EMBED feature if u use HTML5
@Abe
Yes. That means SUPPORTING FLASH NOW and working to build a Flash free future.
@VGPOP
1. Your a moron
2. Come on Google stop with the wannabe world domination. We don't need ANOTHER video format. We need HTML5 to be standardized.
@Plazmic Flame And that's why I hate Flash...
@VGPOP
Uh, not according to Apple, or the Porn industry. And it sucks on Mobile, which is where the industry is heading so.....
:(
@Plazmic Flame
There is nothing special, nor Flash-exclusive, about that faux-badass, tacky garbage.
@CJisohsocool
Do we really?
WebM is the only true blue non royalty format
HTML 5 is not.
That alone is a good reason to get behind the idea of WebM. It will allow for earlier and better adoption and help start ups
@CJisohsocool
Is that you Jobs?
@Plazmic Flame
That's why I hate flash. The site looks great, but it's a mess in terms of usability.
@CJisohsocool
"Your a moron"
HAHAHAHA. Just pointing that out. If you're going to insult someone, at least proofread.
Not disagreeing or agreeing with anyone. I think both HTML5 and Flash can coexist...at least for now. At the very least both should be supported.
@VGPOP
Until it isn't. And knowing when to switch will be key. In three years, maybe 1.5 depending on how hard Google pushes, but bet on three. In three years Flash will be marginalized to 38% of the non-relevant internet, and flash based websites will be the Geocities of 2015.
@Wesscoast
It sucks on mobile simply because until recently most phones didn't have enough processing power to handle it properly. My OC'ed droid (1ghz) handles hulu video flawlessly and a final version for mobile platforms has yet to be released.
Anyway, don't think Adobe is just going to sit by without a fight. What we need as consumers is some good competition between HTML5, Silverlight, and Flash
@VGPOP They are saying that Flash is good, although you can switch YouTube to HTML, you will be stuck with Flash for the time being until HTML is ready.
@VGPOP No it's not, HTML 5 is, I can actually play games in my iPhone browser using HTML 5, and video too
@cyborgsattack
"WebM is the only true blue non royalty format"
You're a fool. There's a lawsuit by the people who actually develloped WebM AGAINST Google. Do your research.
Google is trying to give something away for free that they don't even own. Again (Android). So they can get ad dollars.
And you guys are OK with this? How is it True Blue??? Its fiendish and foul play.
@Gibson
true, but in using Flash it will look the same on all browsers and operating systems (that support flash of course) which is a big plus for designers and means less work for the programmers.
@KpAtch3s
Speaking of mobile... YouTube has been on the iPhone for 4 years... without Flash... and it's on Android today, without Flash, pre-Froyo.
Whatever made Google build a YouTube app that works on all these phones that don't have Flash... at least they can envision YouTube not needing Flash.
@Wesscoast
So you are saying that the people who developed VP8, ON2 the company that Google bought are suing them? Because WebM was created by Google as a container format based on Matroska and holding VP* for video and Ogg for audio. Wait I'm guessing you didn't know anything of this and were just spraying FUD out of your ass.
Links or it didn't happen FUD boy.
@A Yam Whuddayam
C'mon now. It's the developer, not the technology.
Don't throw the baby out with the bath water.
@corylulu yes it looks that way. at least for copyrighted materials and videos requiring ads. For applications for mobile devices, flash isn't needed. Eventually HTML 5 or maybe 6 will be refined to the point where it is no longer needed, but as for now........ But i don't believe WebM is the future. The video codec patent trolls will find a way. They just need to stop with being so damn greedy. Like they don't have enough money already. Just make H.246 open source already, it is already dominating as a codec.
@VGPOP
Here is a direct performance of Flash and Canvas:
http://www.themaninblue.com/writing/perspective/2010/03/22/
Flash wins....
I know everyone will say "Oh well HTML5 is not fully completed or supported bla bla bla" but that doesn't matter. if its ready in 5 years, then flash has 5 years too and we'll talk about it again then. For now, Flash wins and there;s noting to suggest html5 will surpass it.
@Plazmic Flame that site is exactly why ppl hate Flash. Pure garbage marketing site. The entire page is in Flash, WTF.
@VGPOP
iPhone users must be cryin cause Flash still alive and they wont have it on their devices
@VGPOP
So... Google says that Google's video format is the future. I'm shocked...
Shame that Google's own mobile platform doesn't support WebM / VP8.
I guess people didn't absorb much information from the whole Flash debate. The reason certain manufacturer(s) didn't go with Flash is because it wasn't available.
People who keep reiterating the same tired arguments, please answer the following questions:
1. how long have good smartphones been available?
2. when was the first official Froyo release?
The answers are:
1. at least three years
2. six f*cking days ago
Manufacturers said to Adobe they'd use it when they made it and y'know what, it took them 3 years to make it. Why should they depend on a company that takes so damn long to implement such an important element of the web?
HTML 5 was available on DAY 1. Flash is a tech preview of what HTML 5 will be and that's cool but let's not delude ourselves that it's going to hang around forever. Nobody wants to have to keep plugins up to date - it's hard enough for Google getting the latest Android out to people let alone every security/stability/performance update the Flash plugin needs.
@Wesscoast "sucks on Mobile"
Now tell me, have you seen a Nexus One or Palm Pre Plus running Flash Player 10.1? It is excellent. It's just as smooth for video as a desktop (or at least on the Nexus.
Don't be evil
@illmaticstill
The way that Google seems so desperate to get it's hands into everything, I can totally picture Google buying their own island one day soon and starting their own country or cult, however I would think a cult is more likely.
@illmaticstill don't be stupid
@theedude Say no to drugs.
@illmaticstill
Plus one sir.
For those that don't know, "Don't be evil" happens to be Google's informal corporate motto.
As a corporation, they seem to uphold this really well. Their green initiatives, corporate transparency, and contributions to open source, are impressive acts of sharing knowledge for the betterment of human-kind, rather than short-term profits. Something that can't be easily said for most companies.
It doesn't really say WebM is the future.
'We believe the web needs an open video format option.'
Options are optional. It doesn't say WebM will be the standard.
I agree with Google.
@viditbhargava I'm late for work, but I needed to take a minute to say, "Google, I love you" I'll read your story later, til then, I trust you and the headline you've produced.
the lines are drawn and sides are being taken.
This is far more interesting than i thought it would be.
Ive said it before, ill say it again. HTML5 may be the future, but we dont live in the future. Ignoring Flash is foolish to say the least.
@BigJayDogg3
The way I see it: Google doesn't really care as long as they make money. They'll use whatever is good and what people will adopt later. Oh and they won't force it on people.
/Apple Bash
Really, I think Apple is doing what it normally does, do something so "cutting edge" that it hits bleeding and a lot of people hurt because of it, or the ones that specifically care.
At the end of the day, both companies want to make money, it's the approach that both hate, and both have equal and fair complaints at each other to go against each other (Apple for their super strict rules, Adobe for being late to produce PROPER Flash to most platforms until now).
We as consumers have a choice to make, whether Flash is truly important or not to the overall internet experience, and only time will tell.
AKBlade13
@BigJayDogg3
I said it before and I'll say it again, google is trying to take over the world, one technology at a time.
@BigJayDogg3
Jobs likes to ignore the present.
I remember when the first imacs came out. They didn't come with floppy drives. This was before flash drives were available and cd burners and media were too expensive.
@AKBlade13
"Only time will tell" means the future.
However, flash is truly important to the overall internet experience AT PRESENT.
I don't see why HTML 5 and WebM are separated.
To me if WebM will play back in the tag in all browsers then WebM will be a legitimate part of the web.
@(Unverified)
and i dont know why webm and flash are separated. WebM is just a format. It needs a player to play it in and that is what adobe is working on to support flash player to play webm formatted video, just like it plays h.264 and other formats now. the author has no clue about the difference between a player (wrapper) and the video format.
@Unverified User
Because webm if free for ever
Html5 will not be free for ever. Royalties will eventually be required to use it