The Web Applications Working Group has published a Last Call Working Draft of The WebSocket API. This specification defines an API that enables Web pages to use the WebSocket protocol (defined by the IETF) for two-way communication with a remote host. Comments are welcome through 30 August. Learn more about the Rich Web Client Activity.

The Forms Working Group has published two First Public Working Drafts:

• XForms 2.0. XForms is an XML markup for a new generation of forms and form-like applications on the Web, integrated into other markup languages, such as XHTML, ODF or SVG. An XForms-based application gathers and processes data using an architecture that separates presentation, purpose and content. XForms accommodates form component reuse, fosters strong data type validation, eliminates unnecessary round-trips to the server, offers device independence and accessibility, and reduces the need for scripting. XForms 2.0 adds support for defining custom functions, variables, a pluggable expression language with extra functions (XPath 2.0), model-based switch and repeat, Attribute Value Templates, consuming and submitting JSON and CSV instance data, amongst other things.
• The Forms Working Group has published the First Public Working Draft of XForms 2.0: XPath expression module. This module defines how XPath could be used for addressing instance data nodes in binding expressions, to express constraints, and to specify calculations in XForms. This module is based on XPath 2.0, but an XPath 1.0 backwards compatibility mode is provided to ensure that nearly all XPath 1.0 expressions continue to deliver the same result with XPath 2.0. This module also defines the XForms Function Library which contains additional functions that are useful for creating forms.

Learn more about the XForms Activity.

The Device APIs Working Group has published the First Public Working Draft of Networked Service Discovery and Messaging. This specification defines a mechanism for an HTML document to discover and subsequently communicate with HTTP-based services advertised via common discovery protocols within a user's network. Learn more about the Ubiquitous Web Applications Activity.

W3C has named Veronica Thom its new Chief Financial Officer. In this role, Ms. Thom is responsible for finance, budget, and financial plans and controls. With her combined business/finance background, Ms. Thom will advise W3M on future initiatives.

Before joining W3C in July 2012, Ms. Thom served as Vice President for Nordic, Mexico and Australia markets with PartyLite, Inc. a direct selling company of Blyth, Inc. She was responsible for leading these new and emerging markets in sales and marketing, as well as driving profitability.