Web APIs you might not know about

Your browser can scan QR codes, provide haptic feedback, and sync tabs—no libraries required. Discover the powerful Web APIs you've been missing.

#1about 3 minutes

Understanding the landscape of modern web APIs

Web APIs are extensions to HTML, CSS, and JavaScript that allow developers to create more interactive and powerful web applications.

#2about 6 minutes

Detecting page zoom with the Visual Viewport API

The Visual Viewport API provides an accurate way to detect page zoom on both desktop and mobile, unlike older methods that fail on mobile devices.

#3about 4 minutes

Communicating between browser tabs with the Broadcast Channel API

The Broadcast Channel API enables direct communication between different browser tabs, windows, or iframes without needing a server connection.

#4about 6 minutes

Detecting QR codes and barcodes directly in the browser

The Barcode Detection API allows web applications to scan and decode various barcode formats, including QR codes, from an image without server-side processing.

#5about 6 minutes

Adding haptic feedback with the Vibration API

The Vibration API provides a simple way to trigger device vibration, enhancing user feedback for actions in web applications on supported mobile devices.

#6about 9 minutes

Sanitizing user input and accessing device contacts

The HTML Sanitizer API helps prevent cross-site scripting attacks by cleaning user-generated content, while the Contact Picker API provides secure access to a user's contacts.

#7about 2 minutes

Why native browser APIs are replacing third-party libraries

Modern browsers are evolving rapidly, shipping powerful native APIs that often eliminate the need for external libraries, encouraging developers to continuously learn the platform's capabilities.

#8about 7 minutes

Q&A: Who designs web APIs and why use them over libraries

A discussion on how web standards are created by browser vendors and community groups, and the benefits of using standardized native APIs over third-party libraries for consistency and performance.