Google to make web faster?

Google is all set to launch a new graphics file format that will reduce the file size by 40 per cent. The new format WebP would enable quicker file transfers and a speedier web. But will it revolutionise Internet? Read on.

Google is all set to launch a new graphics file format that will reduce the file size by 40 per cent. The new format WebP would enable quicker file transfers and a speedier web.

"When we took a bunch of images, recompressed them from their current lossy formats into WebP, we saw on average about 40 per cent decrease in size, which is staggering," said Richard Rabbat, lead product manager on Google's "make the Web faster" effort.

"Shrinking images by that much is particularly important considering that, by Google's estimate, "65 percent of bytes on the Web are from images," he continues.

HT Image

But it's not as easy as it seems. All online image storing sites, cameras, and phones are married to the JPEG format.

"The challenges are tremendous," Rabbat said. "We foresee it's going to be a very long conversation," said Rabbat.

"We're talking to other browser vendors about supporting WebP. Initially, we want to spread this widely on the Web", he continues.