When chosing a service based solution, an operator would like the option to ignore the underlying technology and simply pick the best cost/features services. Its my firm belief that in the case of graphics and user interfaces they don't have this luxury. The right choice of technology will have a dramatic effect on the quality of user interface experience., the abilities the designers can use, the memory required, the performance, the ease of workflow and so on. Ignoring the tech, and swallowing the marketing will not work. Operators need to be savvy here, not just in their core business.
Worse, the user interface experience is expanding. Its now required to have an offering of some sort on client, mobile and PC. Worse still, OpenGL-ES is not the same level of language as FLASH or Java-FX. There are strengths and weaknesses to them all. Then add in the complexity of input devices (touch pads, absolute pointers, relative pointers, traditional) all of which can radically change the experience and we are in a confusing situation.
So, which technology is the best choice?
Let me ask you this. Did you go to IBC this year? Or CES? Did you fly? Drive? Train? Bike? Did you stay near the show and walk or far away and use public transport each day? Why? Cost contraints, time constraints, distances? OK, was it the best choice? For you? For me? For everyone? No, of course not.
The choice of UI tech is no different. Marketing and sales would have us all believe that their solution is the best, for every purpose, for every solution and service. The truth is when our current technology upheaval that we see now ends, several techs will be left standing just the way satellite, cable and terrestrial all stand side by side. Why? Because you and your customers have different needs from your competitor and their customers.
To this end, lets look at some strengths and weaknesses of various graphics techs in the next article.
