Comparison Chart : System level APIs in W3C WGs
Comparing various system level APIs across multiple W3C Working Groups, this chart provides a clear overview of API names and their status. Notable APIs include the Alam API, Contacts API, and Messaging API, all marked with an 'O' indicating their active status. The sheet also highlights APIs in different phases, such as the RAW Sockets API and Bluetooth API, which are in Phase 2. This resource serves as a valuable reference for developers and stakeholders interested in the current state of W3C APIs.
Content article
Dozens of system-level APIs are compared across various W3C Working Groups, detailing their status and categorization. The APIs include the Alam API, Contacts API, Messaging API, and Telephony API, all of which are marked as operational (O) within the W3C Device API Working Group. In addition, the RAW Sockets API, Bluetooth API, Browser API, Calendar API, Device Capabilities API, Idle API, Media Storage API, Network Interface API, Secure Elements API, and System Settings API are also labeled as operational, but most are noted as being in Phase 2 of their development.
The NFC API is operational, while the Battery Status API is classified as a Candidate Recommendation (CR). The HTML Media Capture API is listed as a Last Call Working Draft (LCWD), alongside the Media Capture and Streams API, Network Information API, Ambient Light Events, Proximity Events, Vibration API, Web Intents, Web Intents Addendum-Local Services, Pick Media Intent, and Pick Contacts Intent, all of which are categorized as Working Drafts (WD).
Several APIs remain ambiguous in their status. The Menu API is marked with a question mark, indicating uncertainty. Other APIs such as Ambient Temperature Events, Ambient Humidity Events, and Atmospheric Pressure Events are operational, while Device Acceleration, Geolocation, and Device Orientation are also operational. However, the status of the Compass, Gyroscope, Application Launcher, Task Manager, System Information API, Beep, Camera Flash (Light), and Noise Meter is unclear, with each noted as "where?" suggesting they are not clearly defined within the current documentation.
The File API, including its subcategories such as Directories and System, and Writer, is operational. Other operational APIs include the Fullscreen API, Gamepad, Input Method Editor API, Push API, Screen Orientation API, and Streams API. The Web Application Manifest Format and Management APIs, Web Intents, HTML5 Web Messaging, and Web Sockets API are also operational, along with Clipboard APIs and Events.