HTML5 & Video

As we all know the web is constantly evolving. New and innovative websites are being produced daily and they are expanding the boundaries of HTML is several directions. Unfortunately the HTML4 standard has been around for nearly 10 years and web designers want new functionality and techniques, but they held back by the constraints of the HTML4 (and browsers).

The Next Major Version of HTML = HTML5
To give authors more flexibility and interoperability while enabling more interactive and exciting websites and applications, HTML5 introduces a wide range of features including form controls, APIs, multimedia, structure and semantics.

HTML5 + Video
Anyone who has spent some time online in the past couple years understand that video can be embedded into a webpage with little effort. But before HTML5, there was not a standards-based way to do this. Pretty much all the video you’ve ever viewed “on the web” has been delivered through a third-party plug-in like Flash. Luckily the plug-ins can integrate with your browser of choice (most of the time). And that is the issue, there still are platforms that do not support third-party plug-ins and there is no standard way to do it.

HTML5 defines a standard way to embed video into a web page, using the video element. While the video element is not fully supported, we decided to experiment with HTML5. Why? HTML5 helps web publishers like Whitman harness open standards to deliver video content to popular consumer devices, such as the Apple iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

Unfortunately, some organizations attempting to deliver HTML5 video experiences are struggling with knowledge gaps, technical limitations, and additional development costs that can make it prohibitive to deliver HTML5 video experiences in parallel with other approaches. We decided to experiment a bit and find out for ourselves. Here are some uses of the video element and a variety of output formats.

Auto-Detect Example View Now
Depending on your browser and, you should see either an HTML5 or a Flash Video compatible player/codec. http://whit-webman.ad.syr.edu/whitmanvideo_v2/html5/autodetect.htm

Browser & Platform Example View Now
Depending on your browser and platform, you should see video examples and the appropriate code. http://whit-webman.ad.syr.edu/whitmanvideo_v2/html5/browser.htm

Compatibility (Browser --- Format)
Firefox 3.5+ --- OGG, FLV
Safari (Mac) --- MP4/h.264 Codec, FLV
Safari (iPad, iPhone, iTouch) --- MP4/h.264 Codec
Internet Explorer --- MP4/h.264 Codec, FLV

THE FORMAT WARS HAVE BEGUN!!!

Sights and Sounds from the ISTE Conference

http://center.uoregon.edu/ISTE/2010/

Blogging at 30,000 Feet

Technology is great, isn't it? I'm sitting at my seat on Delta Airlines flight #$%@ to Denver and writing this blog entry. Yes its inflight Internet and its pretty much standard now on all Delta Flights. In fact, most airlines are offering it now on their domestic flights. The cost for my session was 9.99 for the duration of the flight. My flight is a little over 2 hours, but if it was 5 hours, it would still be the same price. Not bad for a couple hours entertainment. Whats even cooler is the fact the I'm logged onto Ustream.com right now and broadcasting video of myself live. :) 2 people have already emailed me to say that the video and sound is pretty decent quality. WOW... who would of thought. Internet on a plane. I love it. Go here for more info:

http://gogoinflight.com/

Glenn

Windows 7 for $29.99!

Microsoft is offering some great deals on software for students through their student website. Deals include Windows 7 for $29.99 and Office Professional Academic 2010 for $79.99.

Visit Microsoft's student website to prepare for the upcoming school year.

Flash and Mobile Devices

In a recent article, "Flash bursts onto Android", talk of flash being available currently on Android devices and hopefully soon on other major devices, has left Apple standing alone. It has many wondering if Apple's holdout will benefit or destroy their share of the mobile device market. Will upcoming technologies like HTML5 save the day for mobile video and games, and in particular the iPhone. Or will the already widespread flash market continue to dominate as it slowly seeps into the mobile world?

Apple quietly adds anti-malware in Snow Leopard update

Apple quietly adds anti-malware in Snow Leopard update: "The company didn't mention anything about adding an anti-malware update to OS X 10.6.4, which it released on Tuesday, Sophos says."


Can Apple please start being honest with their users? IMO there is no question that their myth of complete security will bite them in the future...a real shame for such and image conscious company. --SR

Droid X announcement from Verizon

This is something I'm really looking forward to. I am sure many people won't like the size but if size isn't a factor for you, I would check it out. I has lots of great features and should have full Flash capability. It also sports an HDMI out. This is something that has never been seen before on a mobile phone as far as I know. The Verizon announcement on the release date of this device is anticipated sometime this week.

Glenn