I Can Do THAT in a Browser? Improving User Experience with Lesser Known Native JS APIs

Track: Web and Front-end

Abstract

Did you know that you can access your user's geolocation coordinates via JavaScript? What about accessing a device's battery status, orientation, accelerometer, and gyroscope? Or connecting to a Bluetooth device. How about pulling data from an external device via a Serial or WebUSB? Are you aware of the Fullscreen or the GamePad API? Have an e-commerce app or an app that processes microtransactions? Does it use the PaymentRequest API? There are tons of really cool APIs that you might not be aware of. Or maybe you are aware of them, but you're just not sure how to use them to improve your application? In this session, I'll introduce you to some of the lesser known APIs that are available in most modern web browsers. I'll also show you some demos that I've created with these APIs to show you how they can actually be used to make engaging experiences that keep your users happy and keep them coming back to your site.

Todd Sharp

I’m a developer who advocates and evangelizes about interactive video streaming at Twitch. I’ve been writing code since 2004, and feel extremely lucky to be paid to do what I love and am truly passionate about. As part of my role as a Developer Advocate, I write lots of demos to show other developers how to use certain languages, frameworks, and technologies to solve the problems that they face every day. I have a background in writing and a love for theater, so I’m extra fortunate to have found a role that lets me use those skills and passions as part of my everyday routine. I’m married to my best friend and we live in the North Georgia mountains with our 2 kids, 8 chickens, 2 dogs, a cat, and a potbelly pig named Milton. When I’m not working, I love to cook, play video games and tinker with electronics and microcontrollers.