Chrome and Safari extensions to view AMP versions on the desktop

#1

Post by edlea » Sat, Oct 10, 2015, 1:25 PM UTC

Chrome and Safari extensions to view AMP versions on the desktop
github.com

Re: Chrome and Safari extensions to view AMP versions on the desktop

#2

Post by edlea » Sat, Oct 10, 2015, 1:28 PM UTC

The timing of Google's AMP project is especially interesting considering the recent attention ad blockers have received.

By limiting the functionality of pages, AMP makes them load faster, but also allows publishers to include ads. The ads however, can't run JavaScript (or Flash) and so should be a lot less obnoxious.

There's no reason to only use AMP on mobile though - AMP content renders equally well, and fast, on the desktop. These extensions for Safari and Chrome will redirect to AMP URLs for content that has them.

Re: Chrome and Safari extensions to view AMP versions on the desktop

#3

Post by mmastrac » Sat, Oct 10, 2015, 2:05 PM UTC

The README is a bit confusing as to the purpose of the extension until you read the linked site explaining what AMP is: https://www.ampproject.org/. This tech post also helps a bit: https://www.ampproject.org/how-it-works/

My first impression is that the whole thing is kind of a gross hack on top of HTML. I get that there's a lot of work you don't need to do when you do it this way, but this likely won't survive long.

We have a perfectly good container format called Atom that could have done the job here. Instead of hacking and slashing at HTML, why not define an AMP markup language and well-specify the transformation to HTML?

Re: Chrome and Safari extensions to view AMP versions on the desktop

#4

Post by [deleted] » Sat, Oct 10, 2015, 2:05 PM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Chrome and Safari extensions to view AMP versions on the desktop

#5

Post by devit » Sat, Oct 10, 2015, 2:52 PM UTC

So the AMP project just launched (with apparently unclear benefits and future outlook) and already BBC and BuzzFeed are publishing content using it.

Did Google specifically work with them on it? What are they getting from supporting it now? Are they just being paid?

Re: Chrome and Safari extensions to view AMP versions on the desktop

#6

Post by fullbyte » Sat, Oct 10, 2015, 3:19 PM UTC

Chrome Web Store reports 0 users have donwloaded the app so far... what a hype.

Re: Chrome and Safari extensions to view AMP versions on the desktop

#7

Post by xg15 » Sat, Oct 10, 2015, 3:26 PM UTC

devit wrote: post #5

So the AMP project just launched (with apparently unclear benefits and future outlook) and already BBC and BuzzFeed are publishing content using it. Did Google specifically work with them on it? What are they getting from supporting it now? Are they just being paid?

At the risk of becoming somewhat conspiracy-theorist-like, a possible benefit might be this: (from the ampproject.org FAQ)

How will advertising work on Accelerated Mobile Pages? (...) As part of that, those involved with the project are also engaged in crafting Sustainable Ad Practices to insure that ads in AMP files are fast, safe, compelling and effective for users.

If Google should at one point choose to block all non-AMP-compliant ads in Chrome, it might be a good idea to get into the boat early when "AMP-compliant" is still in the process of being defined.

Re: Chrome and Safari extensions to view AMP versions on the desktop

#8

Post by caiob » Sat, Oct 10, 2015, 3:28 PM UTC

Yet another way to rub their native app in my face before I can even get to their web app.

Re: Chrome and Safari extensions to view AMP versions on the desktop

#9

Post by hewhowhineth » Sat, Oct 10, 2015, 3:36 PM UTC

Can we please stop pretending that this has anything to do with loading pages faster?

Stop breaking the web. It's stupid. You can try to just shove the ads down someone's throat but you're in for a surprise, again. Any attempt to force it will actually hurt the advertising. People don't hate ads. People hate obnoxious, obtrusive ads that bloat the page to the point of making it completely useless and the whole experience fruitless frustration.

Non-obtrusive ads work just fine. I know that for a fact, they pay my bills.

Re: Chrome and Safari extensions to view AMP versions on the desktop

#10

Post by hewhowhineth » Sat, Oct 10, 2015, 3:47 PM UTC

xg15 wrote: post #7

devit wrote: post #5

So the AMP project just launched (with apparently unclear benefits and future outlook) and already BBC and BuzzFeed are publishing content using it. Did Google specifically work with them on it? What are they getting from supporting it now? Are they just being paid?

At the risk of becoming somewhat conspiracy-theorist-like, a possible benefit might be this: (from the ampproject.org FAQ) How will advertising work on Accelerated Mobile Pages? (...) As part of that, those involved with the project are also engaged in crafting Sustainable Ad Practices to insure that ads in AMP files are fast, safe, compelling and effective for users. If Google should at one point choose to block all…

It's even better idea to boycott it. Embrace-extend-extinguish may work for a big player but it will harm everyone else. We've been there before.