7 JavaScript Web APIs to build Futuristic Websites you didn’t know🤯

With the rapidly changing technologies, developers are being provided with incredible new tools and APIs. But it has been seen that out of the 100+ APIs, only 5% of them are actively used by developers.

Let’s take a look at some of the useful Web APIs that can help you skyrocket your website to the moon! 🌕🚀

1. Screen Capture API

The Screen Capture API, as the name suggests, allows you to capture the contents of a screen, making the process of building a screen recorder a piece of cake.

You need a video element to display the captured screen. The start button will start the screen capture.

<video id="preview" autoplay>
  Your browser doesn't support HTML5.
</video>
<button id="start" class="btn">Start</button>

const previewElem = document.getElementById("preview");
const startBtn = document.getElementById("start");

async function startRecording() {
  previewElem.srcObject =
    await navigator.mediaDevices.getDisplayMedia({
      video: true,
      audio: true,
    });
}
startBtn.addEventListener("click", startRecording);

2. Web Share API

The Web Share API allows you to share text, links, and even files from a web page to other apps installed on the device.

async function shareHandler() {
  navigator.share({
    title: "Tapajyoti Bose | Portfolio",
    text: "Check out my website",
    url: "https://tapajyoti-bose.vercel.app/",
  });
}

NOTE: To use the Web Share API, you need an interaction from the user. For example, a button click or a touch event.

3. Intersection Observer API

The Intersection Observer API allows you to detect when an element enters or leaves the viewport. This is exceptionally useful for implementing infinite scroll.

NOTE: The demo uses React because of my personal preference, but you can use any framework or vanilla JavaScript.

4. Clipboard API

The Clipboard API allows you to read and write data to the clipboard. This is useful for implementing the copy to clipboard functionality.

async function copyHandler() {
  const text = "https://tapajyoti-bose.vercel.app/";
  navigator.clipboard.writeText(text);
}

5. Screen Wake Lock API

Ever wondered how YouTube prevents the screen from being switched off while playing the video? Well, that’s because of the Screen Wake Lock API.

let wakeLock = null;

async function lockHandler() {
  wakeLock = await navigator.wakeLock.request("screen");
}

async function releaseHandler() {
  await wakeLock.release();
  wakeLock = null;
}j

NOTE: You can only use the Screen Wake Lock API if the page is already visible on the screen. Otherwise, it would throw an error.

6. Screen Orientation API

The Screen Orientation API allows you to check the current orientation of the screen and even lock it to a specific orientation.

async function lockHandler() {
  await screen.orientation.lock("portrait");
}

function releaseHandler() {
  screen.orientation.unlock();
}

function getOrientation() {
  return screen.orientation.type;
}

7. Fullscreen API

The Fullscreen API allows you to display an element or the entire page in full screen.

async function enterFullscreen() {
  await document.documentElement.requestFullscreen();
}

async function exitFullscreen() {
  await document.exitFullscreen();
}

NOTE: To use the Fullscreen API too, you need an interaction from the user.

Finding personal finance too intimidating? Checkout my Instagram to become a Dollar Ninja

Follow me for bi-weekly new tidbits on the domain of tech!

Need a Top Rated Front-End Development Freelancer to chop away your development woes? Contact me on Upwork

Want to see what I am working on? Check out my Personal Website and GitHub

Want to connect? Reach out to me on LinkedIn

I am a Digital Nomad and occasionally travel. Follow me on Instagram to check out what I am up to.