14 DAY TRIAL // In the week that preceded the launch of Internet Explorer 9 Platform Preview 2, Dean Hachamovitch, Internet Explorer general manager, started a very interesting discussion about video codecs for HTML5 in the context of IE8’s successor. However, version 1.9.7.7.66.6000 of Windows Internet Explorer Platform Preview doesn’t feature support for HTML5 < video > just yet. The fact of the matter is that HTML5 < video > is coming to Internet Explorer 9, but early adopters will have to exercise their patience, and wait for the next testing build of the browser.
“You showed HTML5 < video > at MIX10, it doesn't work in the second Platform Preview, is it still coming?” a question from the IE9 Preview 2 FAQ reads. “As part of our support for HTML5, Internet Explorer 9 will ultimately support the < video > tag that we demonstrated at MIX10. This will be released in a coming Platform Preview update. Stay tuned.”
In a phone conversation with Hachamovitch earlier this week, he told me that Internet Explorer 9 would feature HTML5 < video > as of Platform Preview 3, which is scheduled to drop in approximately eight weeks after Preview 2. As far as HTML5 in IE9 is concerned, as many of you already know, Microsoft will support playback of H.264 video exclusively. “We recently wrote about HTML5 video and codecs. HTML5 Video tag support will come in Platform Preview 3. We want to focus with the community on the underlying and enabling technologies, like CSS and DOM, first, so that the same markup really does work across sites,” Hachamovitch stated.
IE’s GM revealed that the next Platform Preview for IE9 would be delivered no later than eight weeks after Platform Preview 2. In this regard, early adopters will be able to download and start test-driving IE9 Platform Preview 3 by the end of June 2010. Of course, as it is the case with Preview 1 and 2, Preview 3 of IE9 will continue to be a developer release.
Internet Explorer 9 (IE9) Platform Preview 2 Build 1.9.7766.6000 is available for download here.