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
If google wants webm to win the video format debate than webm will win
Besides webm is truly a free codec. Html5 uses codecs that will require royalty fees eventually
Well..yeah... HTML5 is in its infancy. Flash has been around for years. But Adobe needed HTML5 as a kick in the pants to get them motivated to improve Flash which has been basically stagnant since they acquired it from Macromedia.
Google is supporting adobe and flash because they want flash on Android to differentiate it from iPhone.
WTF is going here. In this world it's possible to live all standards in one browser. It's already happening. Let them all live and we will see what works and what not. It will be like Blu-Ray and HD-DVD. Only one will survive.
One thing that no one remembers, Apple with QuickTime is guilty too. Just go to Movie Trailers page. If Apple loves HTML5 so much then why they don't allow to use it? Google in Youtube did allow.
HTML 5 certainly is something that looks promising at the moment, with great potential for the future. Adobe have in fairness improved the resource usage of their browser plugins substantially. And it seems their mobile flash plugin as seen in froyo is pretty impressive too.
Apparently Google hasn't gotten the memo from the MPEG-LA who claims WebM infringes on their golden patents!
We should not need any third party plugin to view video. Flash always seems extraneous to the browser. Among other things, it takes away normal keyboard focus. Flash is the worst POS virus to infect the internet. It should die a horrible death. The only reason Google supports it is because Apple doesn't.
Wow you don't say... someone actually looking at Flash in a more reasonable light in respect to its role/importance rather than usinig it as a marketing tool or excuse to push their own agenda.
Of course Google's agenda is WebM but the mention of Flash is signifigant coming from google.
Isn't there still some debate as to whether or not WebM will be royality free? Didn't MPEG come out a while ago and try to claim they own the underlying technology?
An excellent, interesting, reasonable, and complete article on Youtube API blog.
Suck on that i Tards.
HTML5 is good -- for the mobile device!
Flash is the best platform -- for desktop browsers!
webM is the future -- Just get WebM and live our lives! and die happy
@fhunkydelix
Yes.
No.
Yes.
Flash sucks on all platforms.
Every company wants to push its own technology.
Adobe says Flash is the future
Apple says HTML5 is the future (because auf H.264)
Google says WebM is the futre.
This suxx. It's like the war between BluRay and HD-DVD or the different data card-versions back in the days.
Am i the only one confused by the statement that Flash will support VP8 codec? How is this news? VP8 is the codec for the flv container which was exactly what we used for years prior to h.264....
it was considered inferior at the time, not sure what all of this means, but its hardly news.
They're just saying 'back to flv' but in html5 instead of through a flash player.
@drewcovi
Well, I would assume that having VP8 support would allow for some graceful fall back for browsers (namely Internet Explorer 6-8, Firefox 2.x) without video tag support. But if that also means that Flash is able to use VP8 in the WebM container or Flash's own FLV container is something of an unknown....
Considering it's Adobe, I would assume the latter than the former. But also considering that WebM is governed by a BSD-licence, it's not a complete impossibility.
silverlight...?
The Flash game FastBall on youtube for Google chrome is one of the most creative and entertaining campaigns in a long time!
http://bhlog.com/social-media/2010/7/1/flash-game-fastball-markets-latest-chrome.html