HTML5 – what the web can be

Google have released their voice app in HTML5, bypassing the App store altogether (Link courtesy of John Gruber, Daring Fireball, who commented “Cross-platform mobile development, no App Store in sight.”).  This is what Apple have (I believe somewhat cynically) blessed as the official way to overcome the lack of flash on iPad.

Adobe should jump right on this bandwagon and fast.  Flash and Dreamweaver and the whole creative suite workflow should develop to become the prime HTML5 tools producing stuff the equal of what can be done for the App store.

By banning Flash, Apple have counted on a time lag until the web can catch up and produce material of similar quality. During that lag period, the App store will remain a differentiating advantage for Apple, and they will grab developers.  But that era will pass, and for Adobe the quicker the better.

Google have given flash a future, but that future will probably be short term.  I still deplore the iPad for not working with the internet as it is now, however flash will inevitably decline as HTML becomes more and more competent.  Adobe have warmed to Google for “saving” flash, but they can’t afford to stand still.

Prior to merging with Adobe, Dreamweaver and Flash were sold by Macromedia, whose slogan was “what the web can be”.  Adobe needs remember this simple yet powerful focus.  And what can the web be?  The only software platform anyone needs, that’s what.  (see also “iPhone OS: the last proprietary platform?“).  And Adobe can be the engine of that platform for the conceivable future, because they have the most sophisticated workflow for combining the technical and the creative in a professional production environment.  Adobe must provide HTML5 developement for those of us not on a Google sized development budget.

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