wpe webkit on android
- webkit has ports, which are adaptations of the engine to various platforms
- wpe is a “platformless” webkit port, designed to support as many embedded platforms as possible
- these platforms are wpe backends, and now wpe has a backend (and widget) for android
history of the android webview
- originally system, webkit-based (<= jellybean, 2008-2013)
- then system, chromium-based (= kitkat, 2013-2014)
- now unbundled, chromium-based (>= lollipop, 2014-)
why webkit on android?
- android has wide hardware support via vendor BSPs
- android is a relatively stable platform on the app-facing side
- webkit improves web engine diversity
- using webkit avoids reliance on OS updates for webview functionality
new WPEPlatform API
- more type-safe, using GObject instead of plain C
- better documentation and linting
next steps
- example quality-of-life improvements: mimic the system WebView API
- example reduce binary sizes: making components and features optional
“render pacing”