In today’s world it is important for a business to have a website. Regardless of what you CMS system or language you use you simply cannot run out of HTML (hypertext markup language). HTML is one of the oldest set of code that developers and designers use in order to develop a website.
Last couple of years was very important as far as web design and development industry is concern as there were lots of trends changed from time to time. Responsive design becomes a necessity for businesses and use of flash gets outdated and more.In 2014 there were lots of activities in this bubble but one thing that significantly shows its importance was HTML5.
HTML5 is amazing and literally changing the way people think about website design and development but it didn’t came in to the main stream like anything but there is a long history behind it and how it comes so important.
In this post I am going to discuss the detailed history of HTML5, when this all started how it progressed and most importantly what we can expect from HTML5 in the years to come.
Birth Of HTML5:
The Web Hypertext Application Technology working group born in 2004 where smartest brains of Apple, Mozilla foundation and Opera Software sits together and come up with the set of new codes that addresses all the current problems with HTML and they name the updated version as HTML5.
The WHATWG has a small, invitation-only oversight committee called “Members”, which has the power to impeach the editor of the specifications. Anyone can participate as a Contributor by joining the WHATWG mailing list.
In October 2006 W3C consortium decided to stop working on XHTML and start adopting WHAT working group. The main reason for this shift was to evolve HTML as a technology in the modern era. This was a big move from W3C as they are considered as the GODs to HTML technology.
First Version Of HTML5 Published:
A move from W3C was a great support and motivation for the original idea creators. After the two years of endless testing, experiments and changes, the first version of HTML5 launched written by Ian Hickson.
After the launch there were many more changes suggested by the early adopters of it. Experts suggested that this updated version of HTML is endless and continuous evaluation is required on regular basis.
HTML5 Compatible Browser:
Although there are tons of browsers available like IE, Chrome and more but the first step taken towards HTML5 compatibility was firefox. Firefox launched its 3rd browser version which was HTML5 compatible. This simply means that if a website is built on HTML5 technology it will be rendered correctly on firefox3, which at the time was the latest version of firefox.
A Big Move By Youtube:
Youtube, an online video streaming website took a big move back in 2010 by launching its first video player compatible for HTML 5. At first the player can only activated through TestTube. Youtube launched the better and useable version after several months in July 2010.
Kudos By Stave Jobs:
One of the main reasons why HTML5 technology picked up by big brands is because of iPhone as they do not support flash players. Remember the open letter by Stave Jobs in which he openly trashes Flash by saying that “Flash was designed for PCs using mice, not for touch screens using figures”
Big Move By Scribd:
Scribd the document sharing website did an amazing job in 2010 by switching to HTML5. According to them, they switch because they think it will provide better UI for users who are reading documents using tablets and different media devices.
Google Made Its Move:
The direct competitor of apple, chrome made a big move in December 2010 by launching a Chrome web store which was based on HTML5. Chrome opens the web store in HTML, making non-apple web apps easy to buy on tablets.
The Year 2011:
2011 was considered to be the most important year in the history of HTML5 as tons of big players make a move and adopt HTML5 as their latest technology. Here are few the notable moves in the year 2011.
- Disney buys “Rocket Pack” a HTML5 based gaming engine start-up. The intention was to break the app store monopoly and build games straight in to web suing HTML5.
- Pandora begins making a slow shift towards HTML5. It is reviewed as being less clunky than flash players, easier to load and faster in speed.
- Amazon creates Kindle cloud reading using HTML5.
- Twitter rolled out the new version for iPad using HTML5 technology.
By September 2011, 34% of the total top 100 sites make a shift towards HTML5 technology. Another big win for HTML5 was when Boston Global opens subscription only BostonGolobal.com where they uses response design and CSS3 allowing the web design to adopt the size of the screen it’s presented on.
Big Businesses Started Using HTML5:
Big business on the internet started using HTML5 to provide better user experience to their audience. Here are the lists of few names who openly adopt HTML to enhance the user experience of their audience online.
Flicker is a photo sharing website by yahoo that allows people to upload their phones using their custom uploader. Flickr in 2012, implemented HTML5 based photo uploader for uploading large files with less hassle.
Linkedin make a big move by creating a native app for iPad users based on HTML5 technology. Although Linkedin has had mobile apps since 2008 but in 2012 they launched the HTML5 version of it. The app has been praised for its clean and modern design.
HTML5 Today And The Future:
Looking the history of HTML5, it is very easy for anyone to believe that it’s there to stay for a longer period of time. HTML5, CSS3 are in the game and most of the small and mid-size businesses are investing their money and time to incorporate within their business website. One the other hand there are handful companies who are also providing cost effective website design based on HTML5 and CSS3.
This is the technology industry where things move really fast but as far as I see, the future is of HTML5 and CSS3 technology. Are you on HTML5 technology? No, think again!