With the release of Apple's iPad just days away and no support for Adobe Flash, a lot of video publishers seem to be turning to HTML5 video for a way to get content onto the tablet computer. CBS took to this task and created early test shows using HTML5 and H.264 to allow iPad users to connect to CBS.com and view their video content. Chances are if this works out for CBS, many other broadcast stations and video sites will follow suit. Both the Wall Street Journal and NPR.org already confirmed jumping to revamp their sites using HTML5 to ensure their content makes it onto the much-anticipated Apple release. These efforts allow publishers to create video pages for iPad's Safari browser, enabling video playback on the device.

HTML5, the up and coming Web standard that can do video playback without a Web browser plugin, also gives options to publishers and developers alike to expand beyond the iPad. Using auto-detect measures, publishers can also provide HTML5 video on other devices that don't support Flash or can find supporting browsers and use HTML5 and H.264 encoding when given the chance. Flash can then be reverted back to when someone connects from a desktop machine.

In order for HTML5 to really take off, however, the same analytics and advertising features for Flash would need to apply to HTML5. But with the potential opportunities the iPad presents and the uptick in interest for HTML5 from publishers and technology providers, it's hard to believe this Web standard wouldn't be getting the same treatment as Flash - and it is more likely to happen sooner than later.