W3C unveils web app guidelines for non-standard inputs

A new website design standard focusing on the development of rich applications that do not require keyboard or mouse inputs has been unveiled by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).

The Extensible MultiModal Annotation (EMMA) specification looks at how developers can create apps that make use of non-standard inputs such as handwriting, natural language and gestures, as well as outputs like synthesised speech.

It works by allowing developers to separate the logic and interaction layers in their website development work, making it simpler to refine apps so that they work with a range of inputs and outputs, the W3C explained.

The EMMA standard could be especially useful for developers working with mobile apps, the organisation went on to explain.

"Most cell phones are capable of receiving both voice and text input," the W3C stated.

"With EMMA, it will be easier to create applications that can take advantage of text, voice, or both."

The standard could also be used by future systems to convey abstract semantic content for the purpose of rendering into natural language.

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