On WebKit and it being potentially antithetical to the open web. The stance that the WebKit team is taking, while understandable, is indeed alarming in a way.
Though an earlier compendium by Michael Tsai also highlights an opposite but worth-pointing-out position: Google has been churning out these APIs like crazy. For instance, Ambient Light Sensor and Battery APIs seem to be a bit over the line for me. Yes, they might have their uses, but their particular potential for abuse is extra high. Web Bluetooth, MIDI, NFC and possibly even USB are on the opposite end of the spectrum – those I'd really want to play around with.
So the truth may be somewhere in between. Apple is taking a hard stance on privacy, Google is taking a hard stance on what's good for their ad business. And we're all caught somewhere in between.
(Via Michael Tsai)