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Originally Posted by Sonist
Jobs reportedly said the Journal would find "It's trivial to create video in H.264" instead of Flash. Depending on how the Journal handled the video conversion, that could be true, and for the moment H. 264 is a cheap and effective way to distribute Web video. But we assume Jobs didn't mention that H. 264 is patented, privately licensed and could get expensive fast.
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It's funny how the term reality distortion field was used in the beginning of the article, since most Flash videos are encoded in H.264 as well – they are simply wrapped in the proprietary FLV format. So this problem stands for both HTML5 as well as Flash.
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Even setting that aside, H. 264 does not fully replace Flash. While it can handle video, it does not comprise a system for the rapid development of interactive graphics, as Flash does. Yet Jobs also reportedly said Flash would be "trivial" in this sense, as well — that it would be "trivial" to make an entire copy of the Journal website with the non-video Flash content also redone.
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It may not be trivial in the short term, however it
is possible with HTML5 and as development tools mature it will become equally efficient to develop in the long term. The bigger problems are that HTML5 is not finished yet and that some browsers – read: IE – do not support it yet.
Apple is known to switch to new promising technologies in very early stages and pushing developers and consumers in the cold water. It's harsh, but it's usually worth it.
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... shortly after the meeting, on Feb. 10, editorial board member Holman Jenkins issued a WSJ op-ed comparing Apple to Microsoft and saying the company "is in danger of becoming preoccupied with zero-sum maneuvering versus hated rivals." His primary and lead example of this sort of "maneuvering" was Jobs' decision to keep Flash off the iPad...."
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Apple is pushing the use of open standards (HTML5, AJAX) to replace a proprietary technology. Does that sound like Microsoft? I don't think so.