HTML 5 gets Internet Explorer 9 Backing

In light of earlier insight into the potential of HTML5, Microsoft has announced that they are running a preview of Internet Explorer 9 with emphasis on… you guessed it, HTML5 integration. Of course there are a number of other features which could ‘apparently’ make IE 9 the most advanced browser around.

Viewers first got a look at IE 9 when it was shown off at Mix10 where it was shown playing a YouTube video without the aid of Flash. This further adds fuel to the fire that Flash needs to bring something fresh to the table if it doesn’t want to go the way of the dinosaur.

In addition to supporting various HTML5 standards the new browser is being touted to adopt a variety of newer technologies such as SVG’s (scalable vector graphics) which will play a major part in providing two dimensional visual elements, functions and even games. IE 9 will also provide background compiled JavaScript which will enable greater speed.

There are a number of examples available from the IE 9 test drive page, some cool some not so much but still worth a look. Some of the graphics demos show what HTML5 can create with a little GPU power behind it. There is also a downloadable Internet Explorer 9 platform preview but bear in mind that it will only work your computers at least up to Vista with service pack 2. Considering that accounts for at least 50% of our visitors who currently run on XP then it seems to suggest that Microsoft are only going to cater for you if you get with their program.

Another somewhat unsurprising downside is that in Acid3 testing (a scale that measures a browsers compliance with W3C standards) IE 9 testing fell a bit flat scoring a mediocre 55/100. Still, that’s a step up at least from IE 8’s 20/100.

Still it’s an improvement and an exciting look into how websites and their design and function are likely to change in the near future. It’s also likely that other browsers will head in the same direction and ever surpass this browser for advancing HTML 5 standards.

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