5 weird web APIs that’ll make you fall back in love with the browser

Rebuilding a website led the author to rediscover the playful and innovative potential of lesser-known browser APIs, which offer a refreshing break from routine coding tasks. These APIs, such as the Battery Status, Vibration, Web Speech, WebHID, and WebMIDI, allow developers to create delightful and unexpected web experiences. For instance, the Battery Status API can design power-aware UX even though it is deprecated due to privacy concerns, while the Vibration API can transform phones into Morse code communicators. The Web Speech API enhances accessibility by enabling voice interactions, and the WebHID API connects diverse hardware for unique interactions like scrolling with a racing wheel. Similarly, the WebMIDI API turns browsers into musical instruments, fostering real-time collaboration across distances. These tools, while not essential for typical applications, encourage experimentation, enhance accessibility, and bring joy back into web development by reminding developers of the web's limitless possibilities.