Apple accepts WebGL into iAd, not public iOS 5
updated 04:35 pm EDT, Fri June 17, 2011
Multiple parties call technology security risk
Apple will be supporting WebGL in iOS 5, but only for iAd developers, says Apple's Chris Marrin on a WebGL mailing list. The technology is a new rendering standard which allows 3D on websites without loading a plugin. Restricted to iAd, however, it will likely be used mostly for Flash-style advertising, including 2D animated sprites.
Apple has not said whether WebGL will be incorporated into Safari on desktops and notebooks. The standard received a major blow this week when Microsoft decided not to support the standard, calling it a major security risk. That view has today received support from id Software (Doom, Rage) founder John Carmack.
"I agree with Microsoft's assessment that WebGL is a severe security risk," he writes on Twitter, claiming that graphics driver culture "is not the culture of security." He suggests instead that a more secure alternative is Native Client, a concept in development at Google that should let downloadable native apps operate in the same environment as web apps. NaCl will support 3D rendering.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2000
Microsoft
"The standard received a major blow this week when Microsoft decided not to support the standard..."
I wouldn't call that a major blow. Whenever Microsoft decides NOT to support something, it's bound to be a big success. It's when they jump on board I get worried... ;-)