HTML5 archive

Our new theme has just been released! This theme was developed with a few goals. Great HTML5 support based on the excellent Boilerplate HMTL5 template, full SASS support, and a base fixed/flexible responsive layout similar to Zen but with built in mobile support, all while keeping the code base small. Like Basic, the stripped down version of Zen, this is designed to run alone, not to run as a master theme with sub themes. Read More…

When it comes to mobile development, I've seen a lot of buzz recently on how CSS3 can help people eliminate images and cut the bandwidth requirement for their websites, however if a good mobile experience is important to you, you may want to think twice before deciding how to retrofit your website. The Good Old Days The Future is Now Your Screensize May Vary Don't Forget the CPU Oldschool Techniques What About Bandwidth? The Need for Speed Read More…

Recently a client approached Metal Toad to develop a prototype game for Android devices and leaving the option of porting it to other devices open. We decided to develop the game using HTML5's canvas element and wrap it in phonegap to bring it to Android devices. In this post I'll talk about the major pitfalls I encountered while working on the project and provide you with some points to keep in mind while developing canvas games for mobile devices. Read More…

With the latest launch of the Amazon Kindle Fire Tablet, the world is now up to more than five major Android hardware providers. Among each of these, there is also a wide variety in the screen sizes, from the smart phones to mid and larger tablets. Outside of the Android market you have the 800 pound gorilla, Apple with their iPhone, iPod & iPad. And you have RIM with the Blackberry and Nokia (who still can't decide what they are going to use). Read More…

HTML5’s <canvas> element is one of the large driving forces behind my excitement for HTML5 development. Canvas provides a wonderful way to add extra shine and glitz to your HTML5 application beyond what JavaScript can provide via animations and events. Prior to HTML5, the solution to providing that extra glitz was to embed an Adobe Flash or Microsoft Silverlight object into your application. Now there is a non-proprietary solution: HTML5’s canvas. However, not every web developer is currently familiar with canvas. To help those who are unfamiliar, I’ve gathered a few handy links to help those interested in working with the canvas element. Read More…

There's a lot of buzz from developers about HTML5, but what does it really mean to business? I look at in terms of... Read More…

Alarmist rhetoric from news organizations about the web is nothing new, but today's front-page headline on the New York Times still caught my eye: "Web Code Offers New Ways to See What Users do Online." It's about HTML5 privacy risks, and it's a load of crap. Read More…

When the W3C started working on HTML again in 2007, they posted a set of guiding principles for the new version, emphasizing compatibility, utility and interoperability. I’d like to highlight four of these principles that I think are especially important. Support existing content Degrade gracefully Pave the cowpaths Priority of Constituencies In the process, I’ll explain why HTML5 is not just the latest version, but represents a fundamental shift in the philosophy behind HTML. Read More…