Thomas Steiner from Google's Project Fugu discusses the goal of enabling new web applications. They talk about web APIs, IWA vs PWA, face detection API, web transport API, MIDI, and file handlers in a PWA.
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Quick takeaways
Project Fugu aims to eliminate the need for native or electron apps by creating new web APIs and standardizing them.
The Fugu APIs offer various functionalities like MIDI device integration, shape detection, USB device communication, and file system access to empower developers.
Fugu APIs enhance web applications by enabling seamless integration with Bluetooth devices, camera access for augmented reality and video conferencing, and easy content sharing to social media.
Deep dives
Project Fugu: Enabling App Ideas on the Web
Project Fugu aims to allow developers to realize their app ideas on the web by creating new web APIs and standardizing them. The goal is to eliminate the need to switch to native or electron apps due to API gaps. The Project Fugu team is focused on making new web APIs and has already implemented several exciting ones, such as Web Bluetooth and Web MIDI. These APIs enable browser interactions with devices like Bluetooth printers and MIDI controllers. The team also envisions a future where web apps can become file handlers, allowing users to open and save files directly from their browsers. Additionally, they are working on APIs like File System Observer, which will enable applications to monitor file system changes and provide real-time updates. Overall, Project Fugu empowers developers to create richer and more powerful web applications.
Use Cases for Project Fugu APIs
The Fugu APIs offer various use cases and possibilities for web developers. For example, the Web MIDI API allows musicians to connect MIDI devices and control music software directly from the browser. With the shape detection API, applications can detect and analyze faces, barcodes, and shapes in images or videos. The Web USB API enables communication with USB devices, opening up opportunities for hardware integrations on the web. The Badging API allows web apps to display notification badges on their icons, providing users with at-a-glance updates. Another noteworthy API is the File System Access API, which allows web apps to access and interact with files on the user's device, enabling features like drag-and-drop file uploading and real-time sync with cloud storage. These are just a few examples of the vast potential offered by Project Fugu APIs.
Enhancing User Experiences with Fugu APIs
Project Fugu APIs aim to enhance user experiences on the web by adding powerful functionalities to web applications. For instance, the Web Bluetooth API enables seamless integration with Bluetooth devices, making tasks like printing labels or controlling IoT devices from the browser a breeze. The Web Camera API lets applications access the user's camera, allowing for features like augmented reality, barcode scanning, or video conferencing directly within the browser. With the Web Share API, users can easily share content from web apps to social media or other apps on their devices. These APIs empower developers to build innovative and interactive experiences, pushing the boundaries of what is possible on the web.
Extending Web Applications with Fugu APIs
The Fugu APIs extend the capabilities of web applications, enabling them to offer functionalities similar to native apps. This opens up opportunities for applications like photo editors that directly access and edit files on the user's device. The native file system access provided by the FileSystem API allows applications to observe directory changes, enabling features like automatic syncing or real-time updates. The Badging API enables web apps to display unread notification badges on icons, enhancing user engagement and providing instant information. By leveraging the power of Fugu APIs, developers can create web apps that rival native applications in functionality and user experience.
The Future of Project Fugu
Project Fugu is an ongoing initiative that continues to evolve and expand. The team behind Fugu is actively working on new APIs and pushing for their adoption across different browsers. They are focused on addressing use cases and improving the web platform to enable developers to build powerful and user-friendly applications. As browser vendors embrace Fugu APIs, users can look forward to a future where web apps offer even more advanced functionalities and seamless integration with devices and operating systems. The Fugu initiative promises a bright future for the web as a versatile and capable application platform.
Thomas Steiner talks with us about Project Fugu, an effort from Google to enable new classes of applications to run on the web. What is Project Fugu? What are some of Thomas’ favorite APIs to use? What is an IWA vs a PWA? And more!