The Google-owned media giant, YouTube, has just announced that it has begun using HTML5 video as its default for all media playback on the website. This marks a substantial forward step in its progressive move away from Flash. YouTube has stated the new default standard will work in the most popular web browsers including Apple’s Safari browser.
Engineering Manager for YouTube, Richard Leider, clarified the adaptability of HTML5 over Flash. He also mentioned the use of the HTML5’s capabilities are beyond a straightforward web browser.
“Over the last four years, we’ve worked with browser vendors and the broader community to close those gaps, and now, YouTube uses HTML5 by default in Chrome, IE 11, Safari 8 and in beta versions of Firefox. The benefits of HTML5 extend beyond web browsers, and it’s now also used in smart TVs and other streaming devices.”
With the YouTube extension to devices such as gaming consoles and other media gadgets like the Apple TV, the benefits of removing Flash became a great deal clearer as time went on. This fresh move to HTML5 will allow superior video streaming that falls in line with altering network states and quicker video playback. It also allows for easier access to 60 FPS HD and 4K media content, including updates to encrypted media extensions, which are going to enable the service to become “faster and smoother.”
Flash has come under fire for years now, over both security and performance issues, despite having long dominated web video and other content.
Five years ago, Apple’s CEO Steve Jobs, famously wrote an open letter in order to address the ongoing disagreements over his company’s refusal to support Flash on Apple iOS devices. Jobs summed up the numerous shortcomings of Flash and then he finished off his letter by making the suggestion that “Adobe should focus more on creating great HTML5 tools for the future, and less on criticizing Apple for leaving the past behind.”
