Apple adds WebM Web Audio support to Safari in latest iOS 15 beta

Apple's latest iOS 15 beta includes options to enable the WebM audio codec in Safari, hinting at full integration when the operating system launches this fall.

Currently available as an option in the Experimental WebKit Features section of Safari's advanced settings, WebM Web Audio and the related WebM MSE parser are two parts of the wider WebM audiovisual media file format developed by Google.

An open-source initiative, WebM presents a royalty-free alternative to common web video streaming technology and serves as a container for the VP8 and VP9 video codecs. As it relates to Safari, WebM Web Audio provides support for the Vorbis and Opus audio codecs.

Code uncovered by 9to5Mac reveals the WebM audio codec should be enabled by default going forward, suggesting that Apple will officially adopt the standard when iOS 15 sees release.

Apple added support for the WebM video codec on Mac when a second macOS Big Sur 11.3 beta was issued in February. The video portion of WebM has yet to see implementation on iOS, but that could soon change with the adoption of WebM's audio assets.

WebM dates back to 2010, but Apple has been reluctant to bake the format into its flagship operating systems. Late co-founder Steve Jobs once called the format "a mess" that "wasn't ready for prime time."

As AppleInsider noted when WebM hit macOS, Apple might be angling to support high-resolution playback from certain streaming services like YouTube, which rely on VP9 to stream 4K content. The validation of WebM Web Audio is a step in that direction.

Apple is expected to launch iOS 15 this fall alongside a slate of new iPhone and Apple Watch models.

10 Comments

wwinter86 53 comments · 12 Years

About 3 years ago

Playback doesn't seem to be working yet in latest beta even though there is the option in settings.

auxio 2762 comments · 19 Years

AppleInsider said:

WebM dates back to 2010, but Apple has been reluctant to bake the format into its flagship operating systems. Late co-founder Steve Jobs once called the format "a mess" that "wasn't ready for prime time."

It was a mess at the time given the potential for patent infringement. That was settled a while ago, but Apple (and the rest of the industry) already had H.264. So no real reason to add support until something required it.

Jayaigh 3 comments · 3 Years

auxio said:

AppleInsider said:

WebM dates back to 2010, but Apple has been reluctant to bake the format into its flagship operating systems. Late co-founder Steve Jobs once called the format "a mess" that "wasn't ready for prime time."

It was a mess at the time given the potential for patent infringement. That was settled a while ago, but Apple (and the rest of the industry) already had H.264. So no real reason to add support until something required it.

Thanks for the insight @auxio. Now I wonder... what would require support for WebM audio?

gatorguy 24609 comments · 13 Years

auxio said:

AppleInsider said:

WebM dates back to 2010, but Apple has been reluctant to bake the format into its flagship operating systems. Late co-founder Steve Jobs once called the format "a mess" that "wasn't ready for prime time."

It was a mess at the time given the potential for patent infringement. That was settled a while ago, but Apple (and the rest of the industry) already had H.264. So no real reason to add support until something required it.

https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/website-creation/webm/
WebM is open-sourced, no cost, easier to deploy, and mobile device friendlier.

On the other hand H.264 and H.265 licensing has become a bit of a mystery, lots of questions about whether licensed integrators actually have full rights to use it, and quite the turnabout from a few years ago when MPEG LA pushed the story that it was Google and VP-9 with the problem.

"Many multi-channel video providers say a major cause of the delay in deployments is that there are currently three patent pools representing different companies, making royalties difficult to understand. These organizations include MPEG LA (which includes Apple, Canon, JVC Kenwood, and Samsung..."

Plus another separate pool claiming ownership:
"HEVC Advance (including Dolby Labs Mitsubishi Electric Corp., Samsung Electronics, and Warner Bros. Entertainment)"

and yet a THIRD:
"Velos Media (including Ericsson, Panasonic, Qualcomm, Sharp and Sony) Ericsson, Panasonic, Qualcomm, Sharp and Sony).
https://www.thebroadcastbridge.com/content/entry/11204/to-deploy-hevc-users-must-choose-what-patent-pool-to-dive-into

Way too many fingers and dollars and restrictions, making WebM a far more simple solution with no real downsides other than support which is fast spreading.

crowley 10431 comments · 15 Years

Jayaigh said:

auxio said:

AppleInsider said:

WebM dates back to 2010, but Apple has been reluctant to bake the format into its flagship operating systems. Late co-founder Steve Jobs once called the format "a mess" that "wasn't ready for prime time."

It was a mess at the time given the potential for patent infringement. That was settled a while ago, but Apple (and the rest of the industry) already had H.264. So no real reason to add support until something required it.

Thanks for the insight @auxio. Now I wonder... what would require support for WebM audio?

YouTube Music probably. Maybe not "require", but I bet Google prefers it, and maybe only offers higher bitrates in WebM, similar to how YouTube (video) was previously resolution limited unless using WebM video.