Flickr leads websites switching to HTML5 for iPad

Flickr is preparing for the launch of the iPad by adding an HTML5 player to its site, specifically for iPad owners.

One of the biggest letdowns with the iPad was its lack of Flash support, but it seems companies are bending over backwards to make sure their sites are compatible with Apple’s device.

Flickr employee Markus Spiering wrote in a blog post: “We just launched HTML5 video playback for everyone with a hankering for a shiny, new iPad.”

The Flickr site will automatically detect iPad visitors and direct them to the HTML5 video player, which will be compatible with all Flickr video.

This follows on from news yesterday that Brightcove, which is the video player of choice for the likes of the New York Times, the Guardian and BSkyB, will also support HTML5.

Apple has also launched a “Ready for iPad” page on its website, listing sites that are HTML5 ready, including CNN, Reuters and Vimeo.

Still, do you think Apple will have to bow to Flash at some point? Let us know below.

Dan Grabham Editor-in-Chief

About

Dan is Editor-in-chief of Stuff, working across the magazine and the Stuff.tv website.  Our Editor-in-Chief is a regular at tech shows such as CES in Las Vegas, IFA in Berlin and Mobile World Congress in Barcelona as well as at other launches and events. He has been a CES Innovation Awards judge. Dan is completely platform agnostic and very at home using and writing about Windows, macOS, Android and iOS/iPadOS plus lots and lots of gadgets including audio and smart home gear, laptops and smartphones. He's also been interviewed and quoted in a wide variety of places including The Sun, BBC World Service, BBC News Online, BBC Radio 5Live, BBC Radio 4, Sky News Radio and BBC Local Radio.

Areas of expertise

Computing, mobile, audio, smart home