HTML5 is the next major version of HTML, the core language running the Internet. The main goal of this revision is to reduce the need for proprietary plug-ins to run rich internet applications (RIA) such as Adobe Flash, Microsoft Silverlight and JavaFX.
In the short term, HTML5 won't displace any of the plug-in based RIA applications since it takes a long time for people to adopt a new browser. According to WC3Schools.com, as of May 2010, around 7% of all users are still using Internet Explorer 6, a browser that was released in 2001. Old browsers take a long time to die and they certainly don't age well. Numerous exploits and hacker attacks are targeting the old timer browsers making them huge security risks.
HTML5 is still a standard in progress and will take a number of years to complete. It is estimated that HTML5 will reach the W3C Candidate Recommendation stage in 2012 (http://wiki.whatwg.org/wiki/FAQ). This coupled with the fact that older browsers hang around forever means that users will be downloading plug-ins for quite a while longer.
While some of the specification has not been written yet some elements are showing up in browsers. HTML5 introduces many new features and can help out in the RIA arena. A number of new tags have been added:
One area where we could see rapid adoption for HTML5 is in the mobile market. This new standard will provide mobile users with a plethora of new features that will make the platform more robust.
Offline Support: AppCache and Database allow information to be stored locally on the device so that you can continue working even if there is an interruption in connectivity.
Canvas and Video: Allows developers to easily add video and graphics to a page without the use of plug-ins.
GeoLocation API: Allows developers to customize applications based on where they are.
Advanced Forms: Browser validation of fields means that less time will be spent downloading javascript code and also means fewer trips to the server to perform the validation.
Even though, in theory, HTML 5 won't be fully adopted in the public domain until 2012 it doesn't mean that developers can't prepare for its arrival. Currently the Lixar Development group is monitoring and tracking the progress of HTML 5 adoption. Thanks to social media, webcasts and product updates, retrieving information has become easier and finding the right information has become a question of how interested you are in the topic. HTML 5 will have a profound effect on technology in the future. But for now, while it is in its infancy, the best action is to stay on top of its progress and monitor its adaption rate.
How to prepare? Like any new technology, true understanding comes from research and experimentation. Lucky for us, Lixar developers are motivated by working on cutting edge technology. Lixar Labs is also a sanctioned area within the company that is made for exactly this purpose. Testing code, dissecting data and taking devices apart is all part of the process. Making room for "discovery" can lead to many future applications. Labs is intended to keep Lixar on the fore-front of these technologies and identify where customer opportunity can be found. By officially supporting this direction, Lixar will prove itself to be a HTML 5-ready early adopter.