README.md

It's almost 2020, and browsers can do amazing stuff.

This repo contains a non-exhaustive list of less-known features implemented in browsers today.

This list isn't intended for a technical audience; instead it wants to be a "I don't know we could that in a browser" list.

In many cases, listed features aren't yet part of the standard, and may only be available on certain browsers or configurations.

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prefers-color-scheme

Many OS provides light or dark color theme (notably dark mode on macOS), websites can detect the preferred color scheme.

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prefers-reduced-motion

Similarly to dark mode, users in their OS can remove/reduce animations, we can also detect that.

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Payment Request API

You can process payments delegating the browser. If configured, the UI will be autofilled with your credit card, shipping info and whatnot.

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Web Share API

Delegate the share of URLs or files to the OS, providing share options based on the installed apps and user preference.

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Push API

Browsers can register push notifications. Sending later, at any moment push notifications, those notifications can contain images, buttons and inline replies.

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Service Workers

Among other features, service workers can enable offline browsing and background tasking.

Example:

• Provide a fallback when internet isn't available
• Sending a form when internet isn't available will result in data lost, service worker can be used to save those data and send them later when an internet connection is up again

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Web/native app install banners

Display a native banner to encourage users to add the app/website on the home or to install a native app.

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Get Installed Related Apps API

Check if the native app related to your site is already installed.

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WebXR

Allows to tun VR/AR on the web.

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Picture-in-Picture (PiP)

Consent to play a video and detach it from the current page, staying sticky and always visible.

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Media Session API

Customize media notifications by providing metadata and actions.

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Chrome Sender API

If chromecast is available, you can stream a video/audio to your TV / Chromecast enabled device.

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AirPlay

Consent to stream a media over AirPlay (like AppleTV)

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Force Touch API

With some Apple-specific hardware (like iPhone6S+ and Magic Trackpad) you can detect force pressure.

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AR Quick Look

On iOS you can display an .usdz 3D asset using a native AR UI

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GamePad API

Allows to use a physical gamepad.

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WebUSB API

Allows to access and use peripherals connected via USB.

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Web Bluetooth API

Allows to access and use bluetooth devices.

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Web Locks API

Prevent display sleep and enable wake lock.

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Keyboard Lock

While in fullscreen, allows to receive keys that are normally handled by the system or the browser like Cmd/Alt-Tab, or Esc.

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Generic Sensor API

Allows to use several sensors like Accelerometer, Gyroscope, AmbientLightSensor, Magnetometer

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Credential Management API

Enables to store and retrieve password credentials, it elso enables tap to sign in and automatic sign back, password sharing on multiple device and many more.

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Clipboard API

Allow to read and write text and images into the OS clipboard buffer

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Presentation API

Gives ability to access external presentation-type displays and use them for presenting web content.

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Screen Orientation API

Read and lock screen orientation

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getUserMedia camera selection

When using camera/microphone, we can select the input source (example front or back camera). On the Pixel 4XL we can even access the infrared camera (used for face detection).

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Pointer Lock (Mouse Lock)

Gives access to raw mouse movement, locks the target of mouse events to a single element, eliminates limits of how far mouse movement can go in a single direction, and removes the cursor from view. Obvious use cases are for first person or real time strategy games.

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Theme Color

on Android you can customise tab color.

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Vibration API

Provides access to the vibration mechanism of the hosting device.

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Web Coffee API

Use covfefe protocol to start coffee machines.

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Battery Status API

Allows access to see the battery level of the device's battery.

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Page Visibility API

Provides an API to ask whether the current tab is visible or not.

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Web Speech API

Enables web developers to incorporate speech recognition and speech synthesis.

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Stuff under Origin Trial

Native File System

Allows access to the file system.

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SMS Receiver API

Allow the site to read received SMS, for example for OTP and phone number validation.

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Contacts API

Provide native UI to select contacts from your OS and retrieve informations.

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Badging API

Allows to set badge in OS in places like shelf or homescreen.

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