The introduction of HTML5 and super-fast JavaScript engines to the latest web browsers has brought with it a wealth of new functionality.

The focus seems to have been put on the ability to play video in a browser without Flash, or making games. But a project born out of a Music Hackday in Berlin is just as exciting.

It’s called jsmad and is a pure JavaScript decoder that allows users to play MP3s in a browser without Flash. So, for example, a music artist could create a website and upload songs for visitors to listen to without need of any plug-ins. Alternatively, why not have an MP3 jukebox that can play songs off your hard drive or Dropbox folder just by loading a website?

Users can try out the decoder by visiting the jsmad.org website where there is a sample song, on the same site they can browse for their own local file to play. It only works in Firefox 4+ at the moment, but Chrome support is coming and already works in some cases, Geek.com reported.