World Wide Web Consortium Releases SVG Tiny 1.2 as a W3C Candidate Recommendation
2D Vector Graphics Ready to Implement on All Types of Devices
http://www.w3.org/ -- 10 August 2006 -- Furthering its mission of enriching access to the Web through mobile devices, and in support of the rapidly growing market for diverse mobile devices, W3C has published a milestone draft of Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG), a graphics standard suitable for both mobile and desktop devices. SVG, an XML-based format, enables the creation of interactive two-dimensional vector graphics and animations. The latest version of the standard, SVG 1.2 or SVG Tiny, is small enough for mobile devices and powerful enough for the desktop.
"With people demanding rich, interactive graphical display of information on a handset, it's become critical for applications developers to have a graphical format that is truly Web enabled, with real-time update over a network and event-based interactivity," explained Chris Lilley, W3C Interaction Domain and Graphics Activity Lead. "SVG Tiny 1.2 introduces important features and refinements based on deployment experience with the very successful SVG Tiny 1.1."
Publication of SVG Tiny 1.2 as a Candidate Recommendation is a signal that there is broad consensus on the technical content of the document. SVG Tiny is already being implemented; W3C now invites implementation experience from the community as an integral part of the W3C standardization process.
SVG's Proven Record, Now Improved for Mobile Devices
SVG already benefits from wide adoption in mobile telephones, commercial mobile services, and in desktop browsers such as Opera and Firefox, which now ship with native support for SVG. In 2003, responding to industry demand and requests from the SVG developer community, the SVG Working Group introduced SVG Tiny, designed for mobile devices. SVG Tiny 1.1 provides an open standard solution for delivering graphical content that works equally well on handsets and desktops.
SVG Tiny 1.2 introduces video, audio, gradients, stroke and fill opacity, styled text, and scripting capabilities into mobile devices. As the core of SVG 1.2, SVG Tiny 1.2 is implementable on a range of devices including desktop and laptop computers, cellphones, micro PCs, in-car media centers and entertainment consoles. SVG Tiny 1.2 helps enhance the mobile Web experience, a fundamental goal of W3C and its Mobile Web Initiative (MWI).
Industry and Other Standards Bodies Poised to Adopt New Standard
Since SVG Tiny was first published, mobile device capabilities have expanded in exciting ways; industry leaders and other standards organizations have looked to W3C to expand upon the SVG Tiny profile and have lent their support for the format, including commitments to incorporate SVG Tiny 1.2 into their own requirements. These commitments and other information about support for SVG can be found on the SVG testimonials page.
SVG Tiny 1.2 is expected to be incorporated into profiles developed within 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Release 6, and the Open Mobile Terminal Platform has made SVG one of the core requirements for browsers.
The W3C Compound Douments Format Working Group uses SVG Tiny 1.2 along with XHTML Basic to form the Web Integration Compound Document (WICD), which is being evaluated as a key component of OMA's Rich Media UI and 3GPP Dynamic Interactive Multimedia Scenes (DIMS).
SVG Tiny 1.2 was produced with the help of industry leaders and invited experts in graphics, mobile computing, and the Web working together. They include Abbra, Adobe Systems Inc., Canon, Inc., Ericsson, Expway, Groupe des Ecoles de Télécommunications, Ikivo AB, ILOG, S.A., ITEDO Software GmbH, KDDI Corporation, Mercurial Communications Inc., Nokia, BitFlash Division of Open Text, Opera Software, Research In Motion, Ltd. (RIM), Sharp Corporation, Streamezzo, Sun Microsystems, Inc., ETH Zurich, Telecom Italia SpA, and Vectoreal.
About the World Wide Web Consortium [W3C]
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is an international consortium where Member organizations, a full-time staff, and the public work together to develop Web standards. W3C primarily pursues its mission through the creation of Web standards and guidelines designed to ensure long-term growth for the Web. Over 400 organizations are Members of the Consortium. W3C is jointly run by the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (MIT CSAIL) in the USA, the European Research Consortium for Informatics and Mathematics (ERCIM) headquartered in France and Keio University in Japan,and has additional Offices worldwide. For more information see http://www.w3.org/
- Contact Americas, Australia --
- Janet Daly, <janet@w3.org>, +1.617.253.5884 or +1.617.253.2613
- Contact Europe, Africa and the Middle East --
- Marie-Claire Forgue, <mcf@w3.org>, +33.492.38.75.94 or +33 6 76 86 33 41
- Contact Asia --
- Yasuyuki Hirakawa <chibao@w3.org>, +81.466.49.1170
Testimonials for SVG Tiny 1.2 Candidate Recommendation
These testimonials are in support of W3C issuance of SVG Tiny 1.2 as a W3C Candidate Recommendation.
In English: Abbra | ETH Zurich | Expway | Ikivo | International Cartographic Association | Open Text Corporation | Opera Software | Sun Microsystems | Vectoreal | Vodafone
en français: Expway | Open Text Corporation
Abbra
Abbra is truly excited to see SVG 1.2 Tiny reach the status of W3C Candidate Recommendation. As a landmark technology produced by the W3C, SVG has seen its adoption in all new generation mobile phones and cutting edge desktop browsers.This latest version SVG 1.2 Tiny introduces advanced multimedia support which makes it destined to be the key facilitating technology for the future of the Web. Abbra's forthcoming multimedia engine code-named Rainbow is 100% committed to W3C technology and features SVG 1.2 Tiny as the core component of its multi-platform compound document and media delivery solution.
-- Alex Danilo, Chief Technology Officer, AbbraETH Zurich
ETH Zurich is pleased that the SVG 1.2 mobile specification progressed to a W3C Candidate Recommendation. ETH Zurich is proud to have contributed to the further development of this open, extensible and interoperable web graphic standard. Several ETH institutes are among the early adopters of SVG. In 2002, ETH Zurich organized the first worldwide SVG.Open developers conference. SVG is used to create interactive graphics, web maps, scientific visualizations, web applications, e-learning and multimedia content. The new graphics, multimedia and network features will enable the creation of compelling and graphically rich content for mobile devices, embedded devices and desktop computers.
-- Andreas Neumann, ETH ZurichExpway
Expway is truly delighted to welcome the long-awaited release of SVG Tiny 1.2. As a provider of content and services solutions for a large variety of devices and platforms including mobile phones and televisions, and set-top boxes, Expway has a vital need for an interactive and animated vector graphics technology that promotes convergence between the Web and other media, and SVG, which we already use extensively, is a perfect fit. The industry-oriented process through which SVG Tiny 1.2 was created with its royalty-free licensing, development and implementation by many vendors at all levels of the tool chain, and refinement through cautious public review rather than rubber-stamping ensures that it is high-quality technology ready for prime time. As of today there is simply no better alternative to SVG Tiny 1.2 in this space.
-- Robin Berjon, Senior Scientist, ExpwayIkivo
Ikivo is very excited to see the W3C SVG Tiny 1.2 specification move into Candidate Recommendation. The timing is perfect for the mobile market as new multimedia services and applications are being launched including things like Mobile TV and other Rich Media applications. SVG Tiny 1.2 is the vital piece of the puzzle in order to provide the mobile industry with an open and royalty free standard platform of technologies for the present and the future. The progress of SVG Tiny 1.2 is also perfect from a timing perspective for Ikivo as we have just launched a new version of the Ikivo Animator content creation tool providing support for creation of SVG Tiny content with multimedia features. Further, we are planning a major update this autumn of the Ikivo Multimedia SVG Player viewer technology with advanced features and improved performance. Ikivo wish to congratulate W3C and the SVG Working Group for taking this important step forward.
-- Bradley Sipes, Vice President of Operations and CTO, IkivoInternational Cartographic Association
The ICA (International Cartographic Association) welcomes the progress of W3C regarding the SVG Tiny 1.2 Candidate Recommendation. The release is an important step for enabling mobile and web map applications, location based services and geovisualization environments.
Cartographers have been amongst the earliest adopters of SVG due to its rich possibilities in graphics, styling, interactivity, linking and multimedia integration, and have a vital interest in its continuing development. They are contributing to future versions by providing feedback as content authors, both to the W3C SVG working group and to user agent developers. Some of the additional SVG 1.2 features allow map users to contribute to collaborative maps and participate in data acquisition. Based on W3C's industry standard XML, SVG also integrates well with existing GIS, mapping and database environments.
-- Dr. David Fairbairn, Vice-President, ICABitFlash
BitFlash is thrilled that SVG Tiny 1.2 has officially reached Candidate Recommendation Status by the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium). As an implementer of SVG Tiny 1.2, we are very excited to see first-hand that this new standard will enable extensive advances in rich mobile application development. BitFlash has been working with our content partners and customers to help ensure that SVG Tiny 1.2 closely matches requirements of the mobile market. We look forward to helping this standard live up to its potential of becoming a mature and ubiquitous mobile technology. BitFlash is a total-solution provider of Mobile SVG-based technologies. Our lineup includes a complete range of server and embedded mobile SVG products, including the industry-recognized BitFlash SVG Tiny Player, the BitFlash JSR226 API, and the BitFlash Document Transcoder (DX).
-- Marc Diguer, Director, BitFlash Division, Open Text CorporationOpera
Opera Software is pleased to have been involved in the development of SVG 1.2 Tiny, and in bringing the specification to Candidate Recommendation. We welcome the increased clarity that this specification provides. This helps ensure our implementation is compliant, providing a reliable platform for authors to build more powerful content and web application interfaces which are better adapted to the wide variety of devices using the Web and web technologies today. We also welcome the new power this version of SVG gives the author to build better graphical interfaces and accessibility suitable for the wide range of devices and platforms where Opera is available.
-- Charles McCathieNevile, Chief Standards Officer, Opera SoftwareSun Microsystems
As a strong supporter of open standards, Sun Microsystems is pleased to see SVG Tiny 1.2 become a W3C Candidate Recommendation. XML based technologies such as JSR-226 (Scalable 2D Vector Graphics API, Java bindings to SVG 1.1) have enabled the creation of graphically rich content for mobile devices. In order to facilitate the development of a more compelling user experience, Sun is leading JSR-290 (Java Language & XML User Interface Markup Language) and participating in JSR-287 (Scalable 2D Vector Graphics API 2.0 for Java ME), both based on SVG Tiny 1.2.
-- Eric Chu, Director, Java ME Marketing, Sun MicrosystemsVectoreal
SVG is a vital part of the future of the Web, enabling richer interfaces and expanding possibilities. At Vectoreal, we have yearned for the enhanced features of the SVG Tiny 1.2 specification. The puzzle of how to build powerful Web applications that work on both desktop and mobile devices is one step closer with the missing pieces that this specification adds. Editable text and auto-wrapping text to enable the creation of custom widgets, enhanced scripting for ease of authoring, and standardized audio and video capabilities are all much needed enhancements of an already great technology.
-- Doug Schepers, Partner, VectorealVodafone
Vodafone welcomes the advancement of SVG Tiny 1.2 to Candidate Recommendation status. We see this open standard for rich presentation and interactivity as a key enabler for dynamic user experience across a range of devices. Vodafone has been an early supporter of SVG as a platform for rich applications on handsets and other mobile terminals and applauds the work of the SVG Working Group in developing this new version of SVG Tiny.
-- Daniel Appelquist, Senior Technology Strategist, VodafoneExpway
Expway se réjouit d'accueillir la spécification SVG Tiny 1.2 tant attendue. En tant que fournisseurs de solutions orientées services et contenus pour une vaste gamme de terminaux et de plateformes incluant notamment la téléphonie et la télévision mobile ainsi que les "set-top box", Expway a un besoin fort pour une technologie de graphisme vectoriel interactive et animée qui promeut la convergence entre le Web et d'autres médias, et SVG, que nous utilisons dors et déjà de façon extensive, constitue un choix idéal. Le processus industriel par le biais duquel la solution SVG Tiny 1.2 a été créée garanti que c'est une technologie d'excellente qualité grâce à sa licence "royalty-free", à son développement et implémentation par de multiples éditeurs et fournisseurs à toutes les étapes de la production de contenus et de services, et à son raffinement au travers d'une revue par un large public. A ce jour il n'y a tout simplement pas de meilleure solution que SVG Tiny 1.2 sur ce domaine.
-- Robin Berjon, Senior Scientist, ExpwayBitFlash
BitFlash est fière de sa participation à la norme SVG Tiny 1.2 qui vient d'atteindre le statut de "Recommandation Candidate". En tant qu’implémenteurs de SVG Tiny 1.2, nous réalisons déjà tout le potentiel de ce nouveau standard, qui sans aucun doute encouragera le développement d’applications graphiques et multimédia dans le domaine de la téléphonie mobile. Travaillant en étroite collaboration avec nos partenaires utilisateurs et créateurs d’applications SVG, nous sommes en première ligne pour assurer que la norme SVG Tiny 1.2 réponde aux attentes du marché dans le domaine, et nous contribuerons à lui donner l’essor dont elle a besoin pour devenir une technologie mûre et omniprésente. BitFlash est un fournisseur de solutions SVG complètes destinées au domaine mobile. Notre offre comprend une ligne de produits qui va du serveur transcodeur (DX, BitFlash Document Transcoder) au client embarqué (BitFlash SVG Tiny Player) en passant par des interfaces SVG de haut niveau pour Java (BitFlash JSR226 API).
-- Marc Diguer, Director, BitFlash Division, Open Text CorporationBitFlash
BitFlash では、SVG Tiny 1.2 が W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) において、正式に勧告候補ステータスとして承認されたことを大変嬉しく思います。この SVG Tiny 1.2 の最新技術が、数多くのモバイルアプリケーション開発の進展に貢献し、今後の開発技術のニュースタンダードとなる姿を想像すると、興奮を隠せません。BitFlash ではモバイル SVG 技術のトータル・ソリューション・プロバイダーとして、現在モバイル市場において高い評価を頂いております、「BitFlash SVG Tiny Player」、「BitFlash JSR226 API」、「BitFlash Document Transcoder (DX)」をはじめ、SVG 関連のサーバ・ソリューション製品、組込式のモバイル製品など各種取りそろえております。私たちは、SVG 技術のスペシャリストとして、この SVG Tiny 技術が、成熟したユビキタス社会における、重要なモバイル技術として成長していくことを期待し、今後さらなる進化を遂げるモバイル市場のニーズに答えていくため、コンテンツパートナー及び顧客の皆さんとの協力関係の元、今後も最善の努力を尽くしていきたいと考えます。
-- Open Text Corporation BitFlash 部門 ディレクター Marc Diguer