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What are some interesting uses of WebUSB you have come across?

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What are some interesting uses of WebUSB you have come across?

#1

Post by moondev » Sat, Jan 28, 2023, 9:41 PM UTC

The stadia controller bluetooth firmware unlocker was the first time I experienced WebUSB

https://stadia.google.com/controller/index_en_US.html

Today I discovered the VIA project can configure my QMK keyboards

https://www.usevia.app/

Both of these implementations worked perfectly on my framework Chromebook. What are some other cool examples folks have seen?

Re: What are some interesting uses of WebUSB you have come across?

#2

Post by favourable » Sat, Jan 28, 2023, 9:53 PM UTC

GrapheneOS uses WebUSB to flash Pixel phones:

https://grapheneos.org/install/web

Re: What are some interesting uses of WebUSB you have come across?

#3

Post by bradly » Sat, Jan 28, 2023, 10:03 PM UTC

I’ve seen it used as a POS with a chip reader.

Re: What are some interesting uses of WebUSB you have come across?

#4

Post by ozfive » Sat, Jan 28, 2023, 10:12 PM UTC

bradly wrote: post #3

I’ve seen it used as a POS with a chip reader.

Can you elaborate on this solution? It sounds interesting.

Re: What are some interesting uses of WebUSB you have come across?

#5

Post by yamtaddle » Sat, Jan 28, 2023, 10:24 PM UTC

bradly wrote: post #3

I’ve seen it used as a POS with a chip reader.

The magnetic strip kind used to be able to just act as a keyboard. Didn't need WebUSB to use one with a web site.

Re: What are some interesting uses of WebUSB you have come across?

#6

Post by c0nfusedpengu1n » Sat, Jan 28, 2023, 10:24 PM UTC

Changing settings on an electric open source powered paraglider. Easy to interface with Arduino

Eg. https://config.openppg.com

Re: What are some interesting uses of WebUSB you have come across?

#7

Post by roxgib » Sat, Jan 28, 2023, 10:27 PM UTC

Does a device need to specifically support WebUSB, or will it work with any USB device so long as the web page supports it? Or is it the browser that needs to support the device? I found contradictory information on this when searching.

Re: What are some interesting uses of WebUSB you have come across?

#8

Post by scrollaway » Sat, Jan 28, 2023, 10:32 PM UTC

I suspect WebUSB will allow eID readers to work natively without having to install custom firmware in the future. This affects all EU countries.

Re: What are some interesting uses of WebUSB you have come across?

#9

Post by ThrowawayTestr » Sat, Jan 28, 2023, 10:34 PM UTC

The online flasher for WLED uses it. install.wled.me

Re: What are some interesting uses of WebUSB you have come across?

#10

Post by simonjgreen » Sat, Jan 28, 2023, 10:34 PM UTC

Not a direct answer, but ESPHome uses WebSerial to flash images which is similar.

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