MIX 11: Hardware-accelerated HTML5, IE9 & Mango

  • Article

Last March 2010 @ MIX 10, we (MS) announced Hardware-Accelerated HTML5, Pushes Boundaries on Web and Cloud Development. Also MS released first platform preview for Windows Internet Explorer 9, highlights commitments to jQuery, OData, expanded support for HTML5, hardware-accelerated graphics and text, and a new JavaScript engine. Together these allow developers to use the same markup and deliver graphically and functionally rich Web applications that take advantage of modern PC hardware through a modern operating system. As part of its commitment to interoperability, MS detailed its support for a number of HTML5 specifications, including CSS3, Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG), XHTML parsing, and the video and audio tags using industry-standard (H.264/MPEG4 and MP3/AAC) codecs, among others. In addition, MS demonstrated a new JavaScript engine that uses the multiple cores of today’s modern chips to effectively manage computing resources and improve Web performance. By combining increased interoperability with a new JavaScript engine and Direct 2D technology, Internet Explorer 9 enables Web developers to provide users with richer experiences that render more quickly and consistently.

Now @ MIX 11, MS demonstrated the value of developing for HTML5 and the standards-based Web with Internet Explorer 9 on PCs running Windows and Internet Explorer 9 on Windows Phone. With the forthcoming release of Windows Phone, coming later this year, MS is providing developers with more hardware capabilities, better browsing and improved tooling, as well as expanded opportunities and Windows Phone Marketplace options. Together, these technologies create a richer application environment that expands mobile usage scenarios.

  Qantas for Windows Phone allows users to manage travel plans including checking in and reviewing the status of an upcoming flight. Coming soon to Windows Phone Marketplace.

The new application platform enables developers to take advantage of the following:

• Application multitasking for background processing, audio and file transfer, and fast application switching

• Deeper phone integration so apps can, for example, take better advantage of the versatility of Live Tiles (refer the above pic)

• Access to the camera and Motion Sensor library so developers can build apps that incorporate device hardware and build augmented reality experiences

Apart from this, MS provided the first deep look at the development platform for the next version of Windows Phone, arriving on new and existing handsets later this year. Developers will soon have updated Windows Phone Developer Tools. Improved tools include a performance profiler and sensor simulation, enabling developers to build more integrated and high-performing applications. Using this, the developers (we) will be able to take advantage of these new capabilities to create even more creative and engaging Windows Phone apps and games.

Way to go!!