A Google employee has claimed that Adobe is currently blocking the latest publication of HTML5.
Ian “Hixie” Hickson – who is also a member of the HTML5 working group – explained that Adobe’s objection to the latest iteration of HTML5 has not yet been made public.
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However, AppleInsider’s Prince McLean opined that Adobe was “now working” to block the HTML5 specification, particularly in “the realm” of the canvas element.
“While HTML5 is often contrasted with Flash as a means for supporting video playback, the new HTML5 canvas element presents a direct threat to Flash as a way to add animation or navigation elements to a webpage,” wrote McLean.
“The HTML5 canvas element also supports the creation of web games, advertisements, and other interactive content, a feature set that will make its adoption a direct threat to Adobe’s Flash platform.”
McLean concluded that Adobe has been working to “incite interest” and talk about Flash, particularly on the iPhone, iPod touch and the new iPad – none of which support the popular platform.
Nevertheless, Thom Holwerda of OSNews explained that Hixie’s contention “appears to be untrue.”
“First, Adobe’s complaint is not a secret at all – it’s a procedural thing that was posted to a public mailing list February 5. Second, this complaint is not blocking HTML5. I’m not a particular fan of Flash, or Adobe in general, but it seems like the torches and pitchforks were taken out of the sheds a little too soon on this one,” clarified Holwerda.
“When I first encountered Hixie’s blog post, I was quite angry, but after spending some time reading the mailing list posts in question, from the people actually handling the matter first-hand, it became quite clear it’s all just a storm in a teacup. You can obviously read the mailing list thread yourself so you can make up your own mind.”