Google is reportedly set to announce later today that it has developed a JPEG alternative that should speed up the Web.
Google will unveil a graphics format for displaying images called WebP, according to a report from CNet. Compared to the JPEG file format, which is traditionally used for still images on the Web, the new format could shave as much as 40% off image file sizes.
Richard Rabbat, a lead product manager at Google, told Cnet that the difference in file sizes between the two formats is "staggering." He also noted that 65% of bytes on the Web are from images.
Sharon Gaudin covers the Internet and Web 2.0, emerging technologies, and desktop and laptop chips for Computerworld. Follow Sharon on Twitter at @sgaudin or subscribe to Sharon's RSS feed . Her e-mail address is sgaudin@computerworld.com.