The current version of the Chrome 81 Beta installation package for Android has been released. The most important new feature is the addition of NFC and AR support in web pages.
For years, Google has been working to close the gap between web applications and local applications, so that the former can use the same hardware as the latter is an important part of it. Previously, webpages supporting Bluetooth was an important step in this direction, but now NFC can also be called by Web programs.
Currently, the new NFC API allows web applications to read and write NFC tags, and Google says that this new feature is very beneficial for museum exhibitions, inventory management, and other NFC applications.
The new API is very friendly and easy for developers to use, and developers can implement NFC read or write functions with only a few lines of code.
However, the API is still in the early testing stage, which means that its standards may eventually change, and the current version is not enabled by default.
WebXR is an "upgrade" of WebVR, an extension of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). Support for this feature was first introduced in Chrome 79.
The upcoming Chrome 81 will expand support for AR and introduce a new "Hit Test API" that enables web applications to easily place virtual items at specified locations using the phone camera. The Hit Test API is also based on ARCore, so developers can Get started soon.
APK for Chrome Beta 81: Click to download (password: w3ou).
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