Hey,
Navigation Timing API[1] is getting critical mass[2], and we've been using[3] it for a while now to gather network information. The timeline one would generate in Chrome Dev Tools, shows this information. But with this API one can measure it out in the wild.
The specification process with W3C has now begun on the <s>Web Smoothness API</s> Frame Timing API (initiated by Google). This will provide similar abilities for other important part in perceived front-end performance: Rendering.
Curious what our thoughts are. How beneficial this would be to improving our ability to research user performance. If others have started looking into this.
Quick introduction from the HTTP 203 podcast:
Call to action:
Specification and polyfil