Well-deployed technologies
HTML5 videos and their supporting technologies (adaptive streaming with Media Source Extension, integration with DRM systems with Encrypted Media Extension) have made the distribution of video content a major driver of network usage.
Web Real-Time Communications enable high-definition audio and video calls on any device with a Web browser, and serve as a basis for a growing number of communications in native applications as well.
Web technologies provide a good basis for mobile-based augmented reality applications thanks to the combination of geolocation API, orientation detection, 3D graphics with WebGL, camera API.
| Feature | Specification / Group | Maturity | Current implementationsSelect browsers… |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video distribution | video element in HTML Standard WHATWG |  | |
| Media Source Extensions™ Media Working Group |  | ||
| Encrypted Media Extensions Media Working Group |  | ||
| Audio/Video calls | WebRTC 1.0: Real-Time Communication Between Browsers WebRTC Working Group | | |
| Augmented Reality | Geolocation API Specification 2nd Edition Geolocation Working Group | | |
| DeviceOrientation Event Specification Devices and Sensors Working Group | | ||
| Media Capture and Streams WebRTC Working Group |  |
Specifications in progress
The Vehicle Information Access API enables developers to build applications that integrate in real-time with the various sensors and actuators available in vehicle, bringing new opportunities for integrating connected cars in the Internet of Things.
The Generic Sensor Framework and its accompanying concrete APIs (acceleratometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, orientation) provide a systematic mechanism for Web-enabled devices to bring data to the Internet of Things.
The Web provides a unique opportunity to build and distribute Virtual Reality content on a wide set of devices - the WebXR Device API is a critical enabler for that usage, and can be used a first step towards Mixed reality usages.
Exploratory work
The Web Bluetooth, Web NFC, and Web USB API make Web applications integrate with their surrounding connected objects, opening up new ways for networked applications to read from and interact with the physcal environment.
The Web of Things effort, in particular the Web of Things Description and its associated API, is set to bring a uniform application layer for connected objects, bringing much needed programmability to the Internet of Things.
| Feature | Specification / Group | Implementation intentsSelect browsers… |
|---|---|---|
| Sensors and IoT | Web Bluetooth Web Bluetooth Community Group | |
| Web NFC API Web NFC Community Group | ||
| WebUSB API Web Platform Incubator Community Group | ||
| Industry Automation | Web of Things (WoT) Thing Description Web of Things Working Group | |
| Web of Things (WoT) Scripting API Web of Things Working Group |
Features not covered by ongoing work
- Mixed Reality applications
- Beyond the capabilities already available for mobile-based augmented reality and virtual reality (described above), for the Web to become a strong platform for Mixed Reality applications will at least require improved primitives for real-time video-processing, better management and streaming of 3D assets.