Choosing a browser based on the types of extensions that it supports is increasingly becoming a thing of the past. As shared by the W3C this week, Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Mozilla have teamed up to form a coalition called the WebExtensions Community Group (WECG), which aims to formulate a broadly compatible and common browser extension platform. The implication is that Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari will all support the same extensions in the future without the need for extensive porting.
📣 #w3ccommunity Forming the WebExtensions Community Group https://t.co/WrPPsRt23M
— W3C (@w3c) June 4, 2021
This community group seeks to align on a common vision for browser extensions and to work towards future standardization. Specifically, we plan to: 1) Make extension creation easier for developers by specifying a consistent model and common core of functionality, APIs, and permissions. 2) Outline an architecture that enhances performance and is even more secure and resistant to abuse.
Source: W3C