In the last six weeks there has been a whole heap of technology and Internet related news. From Google’s decision to enable a HTML5 only YouTube to the much hyped introduction of the Apple iPad. All of these announcements are changing the future of the web – naturally we have lots to say about it.
iPad
When we first heard about the iPad we were disappointed. Our biggest complaint is that the device runs the same operating system as the iPhone, this instantly limits the software that can be run on it. We were hoping that the iPad would be a laptop replacement, allowing applications like Photoshop to be controlled with touch. A touch controlled tablet could have massive implications on the way we design with computers.
On refection its quite easy to see that this device is not aimed at creative computer folk. It is a consumer device that offers a platform for consumption: music, film, games, applications, TV and books from iTunes and the new book store. While this is a limitation for us, it does open the device to a massive target audience. It is the first computing device I can actually see my less technical grandparents using. With the 3G version they would not have to take out a broadband contract and we could finally send them emails. Touch is a massive part of this change as it negates the need to learn how to operate a mouse and the app store provides the right kind of software if they wanted more from the device. This will make the iPad a hugely popular gadget.
A few people have asked us: “Will the iPad mean we need a new website?”. From the looks of the Keynote and demonstrations of the iPad, the built in browser (Safari) will be loading the desktop version of a website (rather than the mobile version). So those of us with HTML based websites should need to make very few changes (if any). Like on the iPhone, Apple have decided not to include the Adobe Flash plugin. This means that anyone with a Flash based website may need to consider some changes to their site. At the very least you should be serving a HTML version of your site to those visitors without Flash enabled. We will talk a bit more about the future of Flash in a moment.
While we may not be rushing out to buy the iPad (although I am sure we could be tempted), we will be making a new range of cases for it. We are waiting to have some of the dimensions confirmed to make sure our cases offer the correct level of protection and still allow access to the dock connector and necessary ports. We will be launching the cases in our popular fabrics (vege leather, polka dot corduroy and upcycled garments), so keep an eye on our twitter feed for updates.
Nokia Booklet 3G
The Nokia Booklet 3G is not a new device (it was announced in August 2009), however we were kindly leant a test unit two weeks ago. It is one of the few netbooks around that go head to head with the iPad: offering similar hardware, design and functionality. We will be writing a full review of Booklet 3G once we have thoroughly tested it.
The rise in popularity of netbooks is also changing our perception of design for the web. A few years ago it was assumed that our computer screens would get larger, with bigger resolutions. This has not been the case. Smaller devices have meant that screen resolutions have got both bigger and smaller at the same time. Could we begin to see websites move from pixels to vectors as a result? Having our designs scale to the size of the screen that requests it could be very handy. The HTML5 specification (that we talked about last year) also hints towards this change with support for SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics). This technology is also competition for vulnerable looking Flash plugin.
Flash vs HTML5 vs Google vs Apple vs Adobe
The primary application for Flash is online video, online games and heavily interactive websites. The Flash plugin has been with us for many years and as a result it is installed on around 99% of all Internet connected computers. Flash will not be disappearing overnight but its future looks more uncertain than it ever has before.
Our biggest problem with Flash has always been that its not an open web standard. To build Flash websites you need to run propitiatory Adobe software and plugins. This goes against the nature of the web. Flash is also notoriously difficult to work with in terms of accessibility and SEO and is believed to be the cause of many browser and computer crashes (for example: this Flash site will crash your browser). The one advantage of Flash has always been its cross platform compatibility. Flash renders the same across all computers, phones and operating systems that support it.
YouTube and Vimeo both recently announced availability of their video libraries in HTML5 (no Flash plugin required). The HTML5 versions of the sites only work in Apple’s Safari browser and Google’s Chrome browser. Both Google and Apple are working together on the same browser technology and right now those browsers are capable of delivering a Flash like experience using nothing but HTML and CSS. Add this to Apple’s reluctance to support Flash on the iPad and iPhone and a technology battle is emerging.
The situation gets more complex though when you realise that Mozilla (with Firefox) are refusing to support the same video format as Apple and Google. Why? Because once again we are staring down the barrel of a closed technology that requires costly licence fees to implement. Very similar problems to those we have with Flash. To top it all off Microsoft have said nothing and the latest version of their browser (Internet Explorer 8) barely supports HTML5 at all.
A Conclusion?
There will never be one. Technology is an ever changing landscape with competing companies and ideas pulling in many different directions. This fast pace is what makes our industry so interesting and I have to say that we enjoy keeping up with the latest developments and gadgets. We are constantly learning and researching to make sure the products and services we design are current, open, stable and the right fit for our clients. What new gadgets are you looking forward to this year?