YouTube to make HTML5 embedded clips feasible

YouTube today started testing a new form of embedding code that would support both Flash and HTML5. Using iframes, the technique will either revert to the familiar Flash plugin or switch to HTML5 depending on the browser and device. It will only force Flash when the video requires features HTML5 can't yet handle, such as ad overlays.

The approach should lead to embedded videos working on any device with HTML5 video support, such as Android phones and iPhones. The iPad already plays YouTube videos in-browser but is using a custom approach to the videos. YouTube itself has added HTML5 to YouTube Mobile, but the new expansion would take its experience to other sites.

Only developers currently have access to the code at present, but YouTube plans to roll out the hybrid embedding to its regular pages sometime in the future.

By Electronista Staff