Image Source: e.Digitales


BY CHRISTIAN BRYANT

ANCHOR JIM FLINK

Google says it has modified its WebP image to make it smaller - and more competitive.  But first  - what exactly is a WebP image? Here’s a quick description from Google.

“WebP is a new image format that provides lossless and lossy compression for images on the web. WebP lossless images are 28% smaller in size compared to PNGs.”

The techno-jargon can be a bit dense, but the bottom line - analysts say

the revamped WebP format can make web browsing much faster. Here’s ZDNet with a breakdown:

“Encoding photographs in WebP makes them as much as 34-percent smaller than if they are encoded in the popular JPEG format, the engineers wrote. Smaller file sizes lead to speedier page loads, and a generally faster web-surfing experience for the user.”

Still, as Techie Insider points out, the WebP needs more work - at least in terms of compatibility. The site says there IS a catch.

“Of course, the biggest problem is the uncertainty of WebP with browser makers and manufacturers of graphics software to add support for the format. At this time, only Opera and [Google] Chrome support WebP...”

Even so, the hang-up isn’t stopping some from enjoying the new format. As an XBIZ writer explains,  WebP could definitely enhance the web for at least one industry.

“While universal compatibility is some time away, graphics heavy content marketers, such as adult website operators offering many thousands of high resolution images, can use WebP to speed up their content delivery — while cutting costs and improving quality — making this technology an important one to watch.”