Linux

Ladybird was originally started as a browser for SerenityOS, a POSIX operating system. Well into the project, they decided to make it cross-platform but that still meant POSIX ( Linux and macOS ). As interest ( and sponsorships ) came in from outside SerenityOS, focus moved more and more to the browser and away from SerenityOS.

Just recently, Ladybird decided to split from SerenityOS, allow more outside code, and in fact has dropped SerenityOS as a supported OS.

The project is fairly pragmatic. I am sure they will add Windows support as the core browser engine matures.

Doesn’t Safari still use WebKit?

Some of the new features most people aren't aware of us that I used recently :

• WebXR, make a Web page immersive and work in the browser of VR/AR headsets, e.g Meta Quest, Lynx XR1, Apple Vision Pro, etc
• WebBlueTooth, connect to a BT device, e.g a Lego controller in order to move actuator, data from sensors, etc
• WebUSB, connect a device and update its firmware, e.g SmartWatch, mechanical keyboard, etc
• GamePad API, use a gamepad or joystick to play from a browser window
• Realms in JavaScript for "better" sandboxing, it's a relatively new feature of the language so the engine must be updated

So... sure none of that really helps to read a 2D Web page (like this one on Lemmy) but they pretty much all help to achieve better cross-platform support. By using the Web rather than native to connect to hardware then it is instantly delivered without having any OS specific driver to build and install. Practically speaking it does make the browser increasingly complex but IMHO it is worth it.

PS: I probably also used some modern CSS so there also the engine (which is ridiculously complex by the way) has to be updated too.

HTML used to be a pretty set standard, maintained by the W3C. HTML5 was retired in 2018 (5.2 in 2021). Now it is a Living Standard that changes often and is maintained by a consortium of browser vendors.

It is also not the only technology being changed.