Adobe will now have one less follower of its Flash Player with Microsoft being the latest to ditch Adobe’s multimedia web plugin. Instead, it is HTML5 that would be filling the void.
The Redmond giant has stated the switch-over to HTML5 will be applicable from the next version of its Edge browser that would be tuned to be less dependent on the once ubiquitous Adobe Flash Player.
It means that those websites that rely on Flash, will be automatically blocked from loading on the Edge browser. However, those who’d still like to view the blocked content will be able to do so by clicking on the right button. Needless to say, there won’t be any restrictions on loading of HTML5 content.
Several other big name companies like Google, Apple, and Mozilla have already adopted HTML5. The reasons are all too obvious considering the enhanced security that HTML5 has come to be known for. In contrast, Adobe’s Flash platform is buggy, which in turn provides for an easy target for hackers to create havoc.
Apart from better security, another benefit with HTML5 is that it leads to faster page load times besides being energy efficient as well. The latter bit is particularly important given that users are more likely to view a website on a mobile device like a tablet or smartphone than a PC.
Microsoft, however, said the change would be gradually implemented as the most popular sites still rely on Flash and will continue to load unhindered on Edge. However, as Microsoft Edge managers John Hazen and Crispin Cowan said, they would be monitoring Flash consumption in Edge before initiating the transition to HTML5.
As of now, Microsoft will be releasing Windows 10 preview builds that will enable Insiders to choose first if they’d prefer to load Flash content for sites that still rely on the Adobe plugin. While the browser will remember the user preference for a future visit to such sites, those sites that use HTML5 will lead automatically.
Microsoft is due to release the Windows 10 Creators update during spring next year and is already pegged to be the next major update for the company’s flagship operating system. The Windows maker also urged developers and publishers to rely more on JavaScript and HTML5 with their future scripting to allow for more secured internet usage.
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