Hmmm… Maybe, maybe not. The good people over at the Chromium Blog are talking about the advantages of a new image format called WebP. WebP is pronounced “weppy”. /(wĕpˈē)/and is a hopeful contender to knock Jpegs out of the ring.
According to the Google Code Page this is the definition of Webp:
WebP is a method of lossy compression that can be used on photographic images. The degree of compression is adjustable so a user can choose the trade-off between file size and image quality.
A WebP file consists of VP8 image data, and a container based on RIFF. Webmasters, web developers and browser developers can use the WebP format to create smaller, better looking images that can help make the web faster.
Anyway like I said the good folks over at the Chronium Blog Page say that its faster then JPEGs and not a whole lot of difference between them (sorta my words – but you get the point).
So what does this mean for blogs, and content strategy? Well it means that if its really going to catch on that WordPress will have to accept it in a much bigger way. I can see it spreading first to Mobile Devices like smart phones, camera phones, iPod like devices, etc. Then from there possibly spreading out.
However what will the camera companies do? Will the Nikon and Canon have a new camera that shoots in WebP. I’m sure someone will… eventually. Will this be the reason to finally upgrade to a new version of photoshop? Or will that fabulous Open Source software “The Gimp” adapt first and finally reach mainstream status?
The part of me that is concerned about content says that we will see what happens. As the public tries new things we will see if they cling to the past or if they are ready for something new. If WebP does become new and fabuoours then everyone from WordPress to Photoshop is going to have to make some large changes. Content Strategists need to pay attention to what the tools are and how to get the job done!
Time will tell!
