Just one day prior to the one-year anniversary of the HTML5 standard’s first publishing, it’s clear that web and app developers alike have benefited substantially from the flexibility and robust functionality offered by HTML5. The wide range of advantages realized for web development are being reflected in mobile app development, which in itself is a growing sector in light of the growing proliferation and diversification of devices (especially mobile devices) and operating systems.

Strategy Analytics (News – Alert) recently announced the results of its 6th Annual Developer Survey, which surveyed a range of mobile app developers and gathered data regarding their attitudes toward devices, platforms, developer programs and other important aspects of app development. One of the key findings from this survey was that HTML5 is showing the strongest predicted growth (20 percent) of all the technologies for building native and web apps, demonstrating how the strength of the standard is allowing it to expand into new areas.

Furthermore, new developers are entering the field with specific HTML5 training, while some of the more established ones are focusing on expanding their skillset. That’s led to a steady rise of HTML5 usage, from 33 percent in 2013 to today’s level of 39 percent of developers. Nevertheless, only 14 percent of developers implement HTML5 as their primary technology, a number that increased from 7 percent over the past two years.

In line with this trend is the deepening focus on smartphone devices, with 92 percent of developers reporting support for smartphone apps within the next year, followed by 84 percent for tablet apps and 36 percent for desktop. HTML5’s non-exclusive focus on mobility has facilitated cross-platform development, which is necessary in reaction to the simultaneous fragmentation of mobile devices and increased demand for consistent app experiences and availability.

2016 will assuredly bring continued expansion of HTML5 adoption as consumers benefit from the universal interface improvements and the increased convenience enabled by more effective app development. Some developers have embraced the standard, while others are still taking their time getting used to it, but we can look forward to a more fluid, interconnected Internet of the future.