This shows, that this idea wasn't thought through enough. And coming from Apple, it raises a concern naturally. These things should have solid foundations from the start.
Isn't this the way you're supposed to do open source? Post code early and often for comments?
It seems like a ridiculous requirement that to show a sketch of what they think a web API should look like for next generation 3-D graphics they should have to design an entire shader language that's different from the one they already have.
It's just a placeholder. They didn't even SHOW the language. They just referred to its name and said they were using that for expediency during the initial version of the document they were showing.
> should have to design an entire shader language that's different from the one they already have.
They don't need to design a new language - take existing open one and use it.
I think you're reading a lot of intention that isn't there into that placeholder.