Apps moving to the web may happen sooner than you think

Easily the largest bet that Google is placing for Chrome OS is that developers will develop for the web, utilizing HTML 5 standards. Many on the blogosphere have been quick to cite all the reasons why this is a poorly placed bet. Outside of Google, how many applications are as useful as the free apps provided by Google? Google has set the bar quite high in developing for the web. Truth be told, if Google convinces the application developers of the world to develop for the web, it will be more than Chromebook owners who will benefit.

HOW APPLE'S APP STORE AND SMARTPHONE COMPETITION WILL SPUR HTML 5 DEVELOPMENT

You would have to be living under a rock for the past year to have not heard the constant developer grousing of the App Store approval process. Applications are rejected for nebulous reasons, updates that resolve bugs sit on Apple's desks for months, approved apps a shell of what the developer wanted to include, etc. This process has led to half completed apps, developers abandoning the platform altogether and apps becoming less profitable as needless development time is wasted.

Regardless of the strengths of the App Store, the once incredible momentum and enthusiasm is gone. Competitors to Apple are catching up as well. The enthusiasm for the latest Android smartphone, a joint venture of Google, Motorola and Verizon dubbed 'Droid', is proof. Having spent some time with the phone, I can whole heartedly agree with reviewers' stance that it is not an iPhone killer. The Android OS lacks the polish of the iPhone OS, nor is it anywhere near as intuitive to use. Not yet, at least.

Follow the logic here: I'm a developer and have finite resources. I want to develop an app for as many platforms as possible with as little development time as possible. That means code once and done. I don't have time to wait for Apple to approve my app and chance that I'll have to rewrite code that works fine as is. How should I code?

ENTER HTML 5

Both the iPhone and Android browsers support HTML 5. On the desktop OS front, even Internet Explorer 9 is getting the HTML 5 treatment. Also, RIM acquired Torch mobile means that all BlackBerries will soon have a default WebKit based browser, making HTML 5 support highly inevitable. So if you're on a netbook, laptop, desktop or smartphone, chances are your browser will support HTML 5 standards.

With companies like Microsoft, Google and Apple, as well as the entire open source community, all pledging support for HTML 5 standards, it is clear that the industry sees tomorrow's applications living on the web.

WHY CAN'T TOMORROW BE TODAY?

Given the current frustrations being experienced by app developers, one has to wonder why they wouldn't be rejoicing at the opportunity to move to HTML 5. HTML 5 puts the developers in control:

• Remove the Vendor middleman
• Applications do not have to be installed
• Applications can be taken offline
• Updates are applied at the developer's choosing
• All platforms supported

Everybody wins, sort of. Moving code to the web can be a tedious process and requires the support of the user community. Showing there is a demand will help move this process along.

GOOGLE STANDS TO WIN THE MOST

Regardless of whether the Chromebook is a success, the success of HTML 5 will result in more time spent on the web. More time on the web means greater exposure to Google's ads, resulting in Google making more money. Though the greatest experience on the web, particularly at an ultra low price point, will be on the Chromebook. Can bandwidth speeds accelerate fast enough for web apps to be useful in enough of the country?