Google Creating WebP Image Format to Replace JPEG
Google Creating WebP Image Format to Replace JPEG
Posted 09/30/2010 at 2:26pm
| by Ryan Whitwam
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Almost all the images you spot on the web are JPEGs, but Google is looking to change that. An offshoot of the search giant's WebM video technology is a new image format being called WebP. WebP and JPEG are both so-called "lossy" formats. Meaning they do not reproduce an image exactly, but rather compress the data an create a reasonable facsimile that can be used online.
Where WebP may actually attract attention, is in the efficiency of the compression. According to Google, WebP produces image files about 40% smaller than JPEG. This is a potential bandwidth and load time saver. On image heavy sites, this could be particularly useful on mobile devices where resources are limited. WebP would still have a big hill to climb though. JEPG is built into so many devices and programs already. "The challenges are tremendous," said Google's Richard Rabbat. "We foresee it's going to be a very long conversation."
Google will be adding native support for WebP to Chrome in the coming weeks. They will also be releasing conversion software so users can decide for themselves how good WebP is. Would you consider using this new format if your software supported it?
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Mark Hanchey
October 02, 2010 at 3:09am
Usually better compression means more cpu power to compress and decompress. How much slower is that process with webp ?
JeffDenver
October 01, 2010 at 2:51pm
It will need the following items:
- An option for lossless compression
- A compression/quality ratio at least as good as JPG
- 24bit color or higher support
- Support for alpha (transparency)
- Support for animation
If it has those items, I'd support it, because there is no major image format that does all those things together. If not, I'll pass. We dont need to re-invent the wheel. I would be pretty happy just seeing PNG embraced more.
Velox
September 30, 2010 at 5:08pm
Sure I would use it however, the new format must keep at least the same amount of image quality and be ICM color space compliant (sRGB).
Silencer
September 30, 2010 at 3:52pm
I prefer higher resolution data going forward, as computers get faster and bigger. If it's 40% smaller, that would lead me to believe that it may be more efficient, but it's probably more lossy too, to which I'd say (as a content consumer,) no thank-you.
A lot of the history of the world exists on the internet. Should it all be replaced with flimsy, low-detail images? I know I'm probably missing the main point. Personally, I surf the internet using my computer, not my phone.
TechJunkie
September 30, 2010 at 3:15pm
They need to learn how to manage the image size/quality first between their own google contacts and google android smartphones before tackling this. Period.
Caboose
September 30, 2010 at 2:48pm
I wonder what the image quality will be like between the two...
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