There are ways to use svg to implement scalable gradients: http://css3wizardry.com/2010/10/29/css-gradients-for-ie9/ . With some clever engineering someone could make a library that automatically converts gradient styles into SVG backgrounds.
Useful to know, but the simple thing I've been working on - a product browser akin to coverflow, with bookmarkable items - needs a 'skew' effect, which is considered a 3D transform.
