While some might have said that HTML5's own existence makes app development easier, there's room for further simplification around, as is proven by Gizmox's announcement of Visual WebGui (News – Alert) Version 7. With the arrival of Visual WebGui Version 7, several new features are available to developers, and those looking to join the rapidly growing movement of development in HTML5 will have plenty of tools on hand to make the best products possible.

With Visual WebGui Version 7, users get access to things like PhoneGap integration—which has already reportedly played a part in things like HealthTap and the BBC Olympic app—as well as new support for offline development, which is useful in managing those occasional disconnects. An assessment tool allows for easier consideration of legacy apps, and a variety of different mobile form factors can also be brought to bear, and without the need for further coding. Visual WebGui Version 7 also quickly interfaces with Visual Studio 2013, so it becomes much easier to get started immediately with Visual WebGui, and with Visual WebGui in place, users can create HTML5 apps with nothing more than C# and visual designers. There's even a new tool called the Business Server that allows for the kind of features that enterprise-grade applications demand, like improved security and performance to tackle the big jobs.

This all sounds great, but when considered against the wider range of HTML5 development, it's really only the tip of the iceberg. Running December 10 – 11 at the Hilton Los Angeles / Universal City, the DevCon 5 event is geared toward getting developers and similar interested groups on the same page as far as HTML5 development goes. While Visual WebGui will be a valuable tool in this development process, the DevCon 5 event shows just how far the field has gone, and how far it has yet to go. Included in the event will be discussions on HTML5 development in video and in gaming, as well as in terms of hybrid development. There will be sections on HTML5 in mobile development, development measures for both basic and advanced uses—one such topic will focus on HTML5 and video calling in Web-based real time communications (WebRTC) as expressed by Crocodile RCS' technical director Peter Dunkley—and there will be plenty more to tackle from there.

While HTML5 in a lot of ways is still just getting started, the sheer number of developments emerging around this new language shows that it's off to a strong start that's likely only to get stronger. There are too many advantages for developers not to continue on in this vein one way or another, and events like DevCon 5 show off just what's going to be arriving in the future, be it near-term or farther away. Gizmox's Visual WebGui Version 7, meanwhile, shows us what's going on today, and both present and future alike look good for HTML5.