The browser has changed. Most of us just haven’t caught up.

Modern web APIs now cover ground that used to require heavy libraries, complex workarounds, or even native apps. In this talk, we’ll explore a selection of these capabilities in action: richer UI primitives built into HTML and CSS, direct access to the local file system, real-time screen capture and processing, and even interaction with physical devices from a web page.

Each example is grounded in practical use cases, showing how these APIs can simplify your architecture, reduce reliance on third-party dependencies, and unlock new ways of building on the web. Along the way, we’ll highlight what’s production-ready today, where the rough edges still are, and how to think about adopting these features safely.

Every dependency is a tax on bundle size, on security, and on the next developer who inherits your code. This talk is about paying less of it.

The browser isn’t a thin client anymore, and treating it like one is costing you more than you think!