These are the best of times and the worst of times for HTML5. The markup language is a significant achievement, but has not yet met expectations, according to a newly released IDC report.
HTML5, positioned as enabling modern, standards-based Web applications, has enjoyed the backing of companies such as Apple and Microsoft in recent years. It's also diminished the need for proprietary plug-in technologies such as Adobe Flash. But IDC sees a mixed bag for how HTML5 has fared.
"It is fair to say that HTML5 as a set of technologies has not yet met its expectations as a development and target deployment platform for mobile applications," said IDC in its technology assessment report, entitled "The Evolving State of HTML5." The report was authored by analyst Al Hilwa. "It is also important to recognize that HTML5 has been a significant technological and political achievement that is seeing significant adoption in several areas.