Chrome 73: Media Session API will be enabled on Windows and Chrome OS

Google has shipped Media Session API in Chrome 57 for Android, the company has decided to enable it in Chrome 73 on Windows and Chrome OS (Mac and Linux not getting).  The API will be used by Picture in Picture and Media keys. Chromium developers made PSA for desktop on this thread and made commit change in this bug and the information has been updated on Chrome status page here.

Mozilla has shown interest in Media Session API, but according to the latest comment posted in bugzilla 8 months back they may implement it on YouTube on Mobile only.

Chrome status page provides this description for Media Session “Enable websites to customize media metadata  so they can control the notification and lock screen UI. Also allows control of media from outside a page, as well using platform UIs and managing media keys. Note: Enabling on desktop in 73 will not include Linux or Mac”.

This is what Chrome Engineer Becca Hughes said in a thread “Hi everyone, We are intending to enable Media Session API on desktop from M73 onwards. We are enabling as it as we are building new features in Chromium that will use API (.e.g. hardware media keys). This was previously enabled on Chrome andriod and the API has not changed”.

UPDATE: Google has decided to enable the API on Mac and Linux also.

Related articles:

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Chrome Picture-in-Picture Mode gets Back to Video tab button

Venkat Eswarlu

Venkat is an independent technology journalist and the founder of Techdows. He has been covering web browsers, Windows, and software news since 2009. His exclusive scoops on Chrome, Firefox, and Edge features have been cited by Forbes, TechCrunch, Wired, CNET, and other major publications.

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