TechCrunch: The Future of Web Content – HTML5, Flash & Mobile Apps
Came across a guest post on TechCrunch today written by Michael Allaire, one of the creators of Flash. It summarizes the evolution of the web as an application platform (ie, all of those programs you use within browsers), and also gives a good sense on what’s driving all of the competition you see amongst relevent companies in this space. Here’s a nice quote:
Each of these companies seeks to create unique runtimes and APIs that provide a strategic wedge that can drive other aspects of their business. At one level this is a battle for the hearts and minds of developers and ISVs, but these developers are merely a means to an end. Gaining broad adoption for their runtime platforms translates into their ability to create massive derivative value through downstream products and services. For Apple, this is hardware and paid media (content and apps) sales. For Google, this is about creating massive reach for their advertising platforms and products. For Adobe, this about creating major new applications businesses based on their platform. For Microsoft, it is about driving unit sales of their core OS and business applications.
I won’t get drawn into deep discussion on Microsoft’s plans vs. other competitors in this space, but I do think the next few years are going to be very interesting to watch as we all work through what the optimal development environments should be across a new breed of connected devices. We’ve entered a world where being “online” is just table stakes to be in the game; the real competition will be driven by how you enable developers and publishers to easily create and sell their content across all of these connected devices, as well as enable them to take advantage of a new breed of web services.
As a gadget-encrusted geek gamer, the future is looking mighty bright to me!
Related posts:
- Break with the Past, Bright New Future: Windows Phone Application Development Platform built on XNA and Silverlight
- Wired on Microsoft’s Challenge for Windows Phone 7: Wooing Developers
- Asynchronous Games: Future of Casual Gaming?
- Disc-free Future for Game Consoles?
- Your Thoughts on the Future of Live?
