With all the debate between Flash and HTML5 video, for the typical web publisher the best solution lies in the middle; a hybrid player that can play both types of videos. It’s not exactly the simplest trick to pull off, but popular video sharing site Vimeo has just added such a player. And they’re calling in the Universal Player.
The Universal Player automatically detects what device a viewer is using to watch a video…whether it be a desktop computer, an Android phone, an iPhone, an iPad or another device. Then it intelligently serves up the proper video and player for that device. To user’s of Vimeo it’s seamless…you copy and paste embed code like you always have (and the embed code does all the work behind the scenes). It’s expected that YouTube will soon offer a similar type player.
Also included with the Universal Player is a new feature called Watch Later, which allows viewers to click a button and queue the video so they can watch it later…kind of like a bookmark for videos. For a full run-down of the Universal Player, check out Vimeo’s blog here.
Sounds like a great player. Unfortunately Vimeo has a strict policy against commercial use.
Are there any other players/hosting services that have deployed a similar “universal player” that you know of and that allow commercial use Dave?