Until just a few days ago, the term “HTML5” referred only to a draft specification. Now that the HTML5 and Canvas 2D specifications have been finalized, what does this mean for developers?

• Developers can feel confident about offering HTML5 web apps and web sites. There is a clear definition of what features to target.

• Developers can look forward to less and less browser fragmentation in the next few years.

To be honest, it is a smaller milestone than you might think. At the end of the day, it all lies in the hands of browser vendors and their ability to comply with the upcoming standard, due in 2014.

However, HTML5 is the only choice for cross-platform app development, and vendors realize this. HTML5 compliance and performance are the biggest weapons vendors have in the fight for marketshare.

HTML continues to move forward, though. Browser vendors continue to propose and implement new features, and the work on HTML5.1 is already under way.