The promise of HTML5 has some in the industry excited about changes, while others are wondering what it will do to the market. In anticipation of the upcoming DevCon5 event, TMCnet sat down with Sachin Anand, Founder of WebMobi, to get a bird’s eye view into the industry and the impact of HTML5. When asked about the most dramatic impact developers will see with the integration of HTML5, Anand pointed to the fact that developers will be able to write for cloud-based Web apps and mobile hybrid apps with common Web code. Native apps are expected to focus primarily on driving advanced applications and richer gaming experiences.

Asked about potential advantages offered by HTML5 and Anand pointed to tablets. HTML5 will enable a rich Web experience that will be updated with new content. Specific advantages have also been seen in the gaming industry, an early adopter of HTML5. The big driver for this industry has been the promise of getting one game to run across all platforms, yet the graphics performance is still lacking compared with native apps. As for the suggestion that the Web was dead, HTML5 is actually the Web adapting to changing market preferences, according to Anand.

When asked about the pain removed by the move to HTML5, Anand noted the move allows both ease of use for developers and a reduction in costs for development time and effort for SMEs and the enterprise. Until HTML5 can close the performance gap, however, native apps will still be preferred. As for new technologies to study in IT, Anand points to identity management, location awareness, social media, and HTML5. The most important reason to attend DevCon5 – “it’s always important to keep in touch with our colleagues,” said Anand.

The entire conversation follows:

What is the most dramatic impact developers will see as a result of the integration of HTML5 and will the average browsing person notice? What role does Canvas play in displaying the web and will it be plain to the browsing public’s eye?

The most dramatic impact of HTML5 integration would be that web developers can now write for cloud-based web apps and mobile hybrid apps with common web code. This helps cut down development time and enables developers to focus on delivering apps that keep up with market requirements. Native apps, on the other hand, will focus primarily on driving advanced applications and richer gaming experiences. The success of Facebook (News – Alert) shows that a uniform browsing experience can be created across the major web and mobile browser platforms. Facebook has also successfully progressed in smoothly and quickly integrating the touch component into their apps. Some of the techniques like progressive enhancement also allows tapping into device-specific functionality, providing users with richer experiences. With progressive enhancements, developers can turn out iterations and updates rapidly. We see more and more apps providing the same experience to users. WebMobi HTML5 platform enables the use of common web code for URL-based web apps and downloadable mobile applications. WebMobi’s SaaS (News – Alert) platform is specifically designed to simplify cloud mobility and enable enterprises to focus on apps that keep up with market requirements. Regarding Canvas technology, we believe that faster rendering of complex animations through browsers will certainly be game changer for non-native apps.

Does HTML5 give any specific type of device an advantage? Specifically, should we expect tablets to become more popular than phones as a result of HTML5?

At this point HTML5 seems to be giving tablets an advantage, enabling rich web experience that can be updated with newer content. The success of the FT mobile web app for IPad demonstrates how a rich publishing application can leverage HTML5 to create rich engaging experiences that consumers prefer and are also willing to pay for.

Gaming has been very specific early adopter of the HTML5? What has been the driver for that industry?

Getting one game to run across all platforms is the primary consideration for the gaming industry’s early adoption of HTML5. It makes sense for all other apps to try to maximize the extensive efficiencies brought about by a single development environment around web technologies. However, at this point, HTML5 graphics performance for fast-moving games with hefty animation sequences can’t quite match the performance of native. It will take time to catch up but HTML5 is good enough on all other points.

A while ago, pundits said the Web was dead. Is HTML5 the revenge of the Web or a detente with device-specific OS?

HTML5 is the web adapting to changing market preferences. This web technology also came at the perfect time, right when enterprises sought to simplify and focus on their core business rather than develop for all of the different platforms. We offer a solution that helps businesses do exactly that – Webmobi (www.webmobi.com), an online tool that enables SMEs and enterprises to fully utilize cloud mobility through a simple, easy to use interface that builds a rich, engaging, mobile experience for their market.

The adoption of technology is based on ease of use or reduction in costs. What pain is removed by the move to HTML5?

HTML5 affords both ease of use for developers and reduction of costs in terms of development time and effort for SMEs and enterprises. However, native apps are still extremely popular for a lot of developers because, at this time, HTML5 still needs to work on closing the performance gap in areas like gaming. Furthermore, developers given access to platform functionality with built-in HTML5 APIs.

If you were telling your child what to study in IT where would you tell them to focus?

In this era of prioritizing web and user experience, I would advise my child to focus on the new technologies around web. Some of these technologies include identity management, social media, location awareness, and HTML5, of course. Looking into the possibilities of SaaS and web-based gaming would also work to his or her advantage.

What is the most important reason to attend DevCon5?

It’s always important to keep in touch with our colleagues. Touching base is a great learning experience and improves on how we go about planning for our organization. Devcon5 is great combination of front end UI people and developers, all thinking about the future of the web.

Want to learn more about HTML5? Then be sure to attend DevCon5 Developers and Designers Conference, taking place Dec 7-8, in Santa Clara, California. HTML5 has the potential to revolutionize user interfaces, challenge the status quo and change the future of both desktop and mobile web experiences.Join fellow web developers, designers, and architects, as well as technology leaders and business strategists who will gather in California to learn strategies and tactics to implement and execute HTML5. To register, click here.