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Microsoft has decided to allow IE9 users the possibility that they might some day be able to watch video using Google’s open source WebM video codec.
The Microsoft Media Foundation has released a component called WebM Components. Microsoft said that they believe that it’s important that users have the ability to choose whichever video format they want.
According to the H Open, one Microsoft VP took a shot at Google for recently announcing that they’re removing HTML5 H.264 support from Chrome.
“The people who build and use the Web deserve practical and consistent video support rather than ideology,” Dean Hachamovitch said.
However, Microsoft has no plans to actually ship Windows 7 or IE9 with the WebM codec.
And while Chrome and Mozilla’s Firefox may not always support every MPEG-LA sanctioned video format, as does Microsoft, those open source browsers run on multiple operating systems, which IE does not. Choice is in the eye of the beholder.
