The next JPEG

The "sequel" to JPEG images — the worldwide standard for photographs — is a bit closer today, now that the Joint Photographic Experts Group has approved using Microsoft’s HD Photo format for the job. That means Microsoft gives up the rights to it, and Windows Media Photo, er, HD Photo JPEG XR becomes the new standard for images.

The new format supports a greater range of colors (CNET has a good article explaining it) and can show more detail in an image. Oh, and it’s supposed to do that with smaller files.

Other image standards, notably JPEG2000 and PNG, have essentially flopped, so it’ll be a while before we’ll see whether JPEG XR catches on.