Discover the 88 New WebKit Features Set to Improve Safari 17 This Fall

At this year's WWDC, Apple announced a plethora of updates to WebKit - the powerful web browser engine behind Safari. These 88 new features are scheduled for implementation in Safari 17, set to be launched this fall.

One of the standout updates is the introduction of the Dock functionality, which allows users to add specific web pages to their Dock, enabling quick access to frequently visited websites. These web apps can be launched via Dock, Launchpad, or Spotlight Search and will function as standalone applications. They also integrate with AutoFill credentials from iCloud Keychain or third-party apps utilizing the Credential Provider Extension API. In addition, Safari now includes an "Add to Home Screen" option for users to pin a webpage to their device's Home Screen.

In light of Apple's Vision Pro reveal, the WebKit team has been hard at work to ensure Safari compatibility with the groundbreaking AR/VR headset. In doing so, they have introduced two spatial computing technologies: the element and WebXR. The former provides a hassle-free method for displaying 3D content within web pages, while the latter enables the creation of immersive 3D experiences.

Optimizing image support, Safari 17 will introduce compatibility with the new JPEG XL format. This employs a novel compression algorithm that grants greater flexibility in adjusting image compression ratios. Moreover, Safari now supports HEIC images - the file format used by iPhones and iPads to store camera-taken photos. As such, users can now import and edit these images directly in the browser without the need for conversion. Updates to the image-set() implementation, including support for "resolution" and "type" arguments, further enhance image handling in Safari.

On the video front, Safari 17 has added new features such as the Managed Media Source API, a power-efficient solution for video streaming; a stats overlay for the video player; and support for USB cameras on iPadOS 17. As for HTML and CSS, numerous updates have been implemented, including support for the "popover" attribute and the