Apple is giving iOS apps which handle real cash in an HTML5 wrapper a bit longer to transition to native

Apple is giving iOS developers whose apps use HTML5 containers and deal with real cash, six months longer to make them fully-native.

The new rules were first announced on June 3rd. Here’s what the guidelines said:

“HTML5 games distributed in apps may not provide access to real money gaming, lotteries, or charitable donations, and may not support digital commerce.

This functionality is only appropriate for...

17 September 2019 | Developer

W3C and WHATWG come together for HTML and DOM specifications

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and the Web Hypertext Application Technology Working Group (WHATWG) will collaborate on developing a single version of the HTML and DOM specifications – in a move which may help bring the two factions closer together.

The memorandum of understanding means both parties will endeavour to pursue the following path:

W3C and WHATWG will work together on HTML and...

29 May 2019 | Development Tools

Adopted or abandoned: Microsoft details Chromium-based Edge features

Microsoft has provided details of what features are being adopted or abandoned from Chromium for its Edge browser reincarnation.

Last year, Microsoft announced it would be scrapping development of its EdgeHTML engine (a decision criticised by some) and switching to Chromium for its Edge browser.

In providing reasons why it made the switch, Microsoft cites better web compatibility for users, less fragmentation for developers, and the ability to ‘join forces to evolve the...

9 April 2019 | HTML

Google will revise ad blocker-killing Chromium proposal

Google has decided to revise its proposed Chromium update that would have killed ad blockers and some other extensions.

The proposal, to restrict Chromium's script blocking capabilities to the new DeclarativeNetRequest API instead of the old webRequest API, caused a backlash from extension developers and users.

Chromium engineer Devlin Cronin provided an update on Google Groups following the outcry:

“I’d like to reiterate that...

18 February 2019 | API

Microsoft Staffer: Mozilla, give up and switch to Chromium too

A staffer for Microsoft has said Mozilla should follow his employer’s decision to switch from its own rendering engine to Chromium.

Microsoft recently announced it’s halting development of its EdgeHTML rendering engine and switching its Edge browser to Google’s Chromium this year.

Privacy advocates Mozilla shared their concerns about Microsoft’s decision.

In a blog post, Mozilla CEO Chris Beard wrote:

"The...

30 January 2019 | HTML

Chrome update to kill ad blockers will affect other plugins

An update to Chrome which appears intended to kill the use of ad block plugins will impact extensions in other categories.

The change would restrict Chrome's script blocking capabilities to the new DeclarativeNetRequest API instead of the old webRequest API.

Raymond Hill, Author of the uBlock Origin and uMatrix ad blockers, said in a bug report:

“If this (quite limited) declarativeNetRequest API ends up being the only way content...

25 January 2019 | API

Egretia mashes up HTML5 and blockchain

Beijing-based company Egret Technology is planning to combine two of the most important modern technologies, HTML5 and blockchain, in a project called Egretia. The idea behind Egretia is solving some technical issues in the HTML5 game industry—such as multiplayer matchmaking, digital item marketplaces, data storage, advertising and crowdfunding—using blockchain.

Egret is already well-known in the HTML5 community due to its work on HTML5 development tools, including an...

21 May 2018 | Development Tools

W3C approves EME digital rights standard – with Electronic Frontier Foundation resigning

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has voted to approve Encrypted Media Extensions (EME) as a Web standard – yet some organisations are not happy about the result.

EME is an API which allows plugin-free playback of encrypted content in Web browsers. As the W3C wrote, in a missive confirming the vote: “The viewing experience of watching movies and TV shows on the Web has now moved from a cumbersome and possibly insecure arrangement to the security of the Open Web...

19 September 2017 | API

Google brings new and updated APIs with Chrome 60

Google has updated its popular Chrome browser with new and updated APIs for developers to improve the experience for all users.

Currently available in the beta channel, Chrome 60 includes a brand new Paint Timing API, enhancements to the Credential Management API, and improvements as to how pages are rendered with a new CSS Font-Display feature.

Paint Timing API

The Paint Timing API is designed to help web developers gauge how quickly a web app or page loads to help make...

14 June 2017 | API

A certification program from Google has launched for mobile site developers

Google has announced the launch of a new certification programme for mobile site developers to prove their worth.

The new exam covers various aspects of mobile website development from the basics of why mobile-optimised sites matter, all the way to methods of improving mobile site speed, the importance of optimal UX design, and topics such as progressive web apps.

Passing the exam allows you to promote yourself with the honour of being a Google accredited mobile site developer...

4 April 2017 | HTML