New Browser APIs That Every Web Developer Should Know

Dheeraj Kumar Rao
JavaScript Kingdom
Published in
3 min readAug 26, 2023

Here are some newer browser APIs that web developers should be aware of. Keep in mind that the web development landscape is constantly evolving, so it’s a good idea to check for the latest updates and changes in the APIs.

  1. Web Authentication API : It allows websites to offer strong authentication mechanisms using biometrics, USB tokens, or other methods, replacing traditional password-based authentication. It helps improve security and user experience.
  2. Web Bluetooth API: The Web Bluetooth API enables websites to communicate with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) devices, such as IoT devices, directly from a browser. This can be used for applications like connecting to fitness trackers, home automation devices, and more.
  3. Web Share API: The Web Share API allows websites to trigger the native sharing capabilities of a user’s device. It provides a consistent way to share content from a web app to various social media platforms or other apps on the device.
  4. Web Speech API: The Web Speech API provides speech recognition and synthesis capabilities in browsers. This can be used to build voice-controlled interfaces or to add speech output to your applications.
  5. Payment Request API: The Payment Request API simplifies the checkout process by providing a standardized way to request payment and shipping information. It integrates with various payment providers and streamlines the payment process for users.
  6. Media Devices API: The Media Devices API allows web applications to access media input and output devices, such as cameras and microphones. This API can be used for tasks like selecting cameras for video recording or choosing microphones for audio input.
  7. Web Components: Web Components is a collection of standards that enables you to create reusable custom HTML elements. It consists of Shadow DOM, Custom Elements, and HTML Templates. Web Components allow you to encapsulate and extend existing HTML elements, creating your own components that can be reused across projects.
  8. Service Workers: Service Workers are scripts that run in the background of a web page, independent of the web page itself. They enable features like offline caching, push notifications, and background synchronization. Service Workers can enhance the user experience by providing faster loading times and offline access to web applications.
  9. Native File System API: The Native File System API enables web applications to read and write files on a user’s device using a user-friendly file picker interface. This API enhances the capabilities of web applications for working with local files.
  10. Background Fetch API: The Background Fetch API allows developers to schedule background tasks for fetching and processing data even when the web app is not open. This is useful for scenarios like content updates or syncing data in the background.
  11. Idle Detection API: The Idle Detection API allows websites to detect when a user’s device is idle or actively in use. This can be useful for optimizing the timing of certain tasks or interactions based on the user’s engagement with the device.

Remember that browser support for these APIs may vary, and you should always check compatibility tables and usage guides for the latest information. Additionally, stay updated with the latest developments in the web ecosystem to discover new APIs and features that can enhance your web development projects.

Use https://caniuse.com/ to check web API browser support.

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