YouTube Mobile adds HTML5 for Android, iPhone users
updated 04:55 pm EDT, Wed July 7, 2010
YouTube mobile page can now skip Flash
YouTube today unveiled a completely revamped version of YouTube Mobile designed with Android and iOS devices in mind. The new page uses HTML5 when present to play video without having to use Flash. Much of the interface has now been reworked for touchscreen devices and incorporates the features that have arrived since the mobile page was last updated, such as like/unlike flags, playlists and suggested searches.
The new version is potentially more advanced than the dedicated YouTube app on the iPhone as it can use higher quality when not on Wi-Fi. Apple's app is designed to work on as little as a 2G connection where HTML5 is designed from the start to play on 3G. Google also teased Apple by noting that its web app could be updated faster than a native app can, although it too has a native app that is now partly obsolete.
Visitors should start seeing the redesigned page later today. Support for other platforms isn't yet practical as RIM, Symbian and others are still lagging in the implementation of HTML5.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2006
Actually not bad
At least as good as the Youtube app. Slightly larger images of the videos in list view and it has like/dislike thumbs right on the page. Not sure I will start using the web app instead but it's good to have an alternative. And the more Android folks use this web app the more obsolete flash gets..