Shipping JPEG XL in Chrome (developer.chrome.com)

Article summary

Chrome is shipping decoding support for the JPEG XL image format, starting from Chrome 155. JPEG XL offers better compression than JPEG, lossless compression, and built-in HDR support. The Chrome team implemented a pure Rust decoder to ensure memory safety. The decision to ship JPEG XL was based on consistent feedback and requests from web developers.

Main themes

• JPEG XL support in Chrome
• image format compression and quality
• memory safety and security
• web ecosystem and compatibility
• browser features and user experience
• image format wars and fragmentation

What commenters say

• Some commenters are excited about the support for JPEG XL, citing its potential for better image quality and compression.
• Others are concerned about the addition of another image format, citing potential issues with compatibility and support.
• There is disagreement about whether JPEG XL is better than AVIF for certain use cases, such as very compressed images or high-quality photographs.
• Some commenters are frustrated with the lack of support for saving images in different formats, and suggest that browsers should allow users to save images in their preferred format.
• The security benefits of using Rust to implement the JPEG XL decoder are acknowledged, but some commenters are skeptical about the motivations behind Google's decision to support the format.
• There are differing opinions on the impact of JPEG XL on the web ecosystem, with some seeing it as a positive development and others as a potential source of fragmentation.
• Some commenters are critical of the way image formats are handled on the web, citing issues with compatibility, support, and the need for multiple libraries and plugins.