Real-Time Communication Comes to Chrome via WebRTC

Google has added support for WebRTC technology in the dev channel version of Chrome, allowing real-time video chatting without the need for drivers or a stand-alone client.

ZoomOn Wednesday Google said that it added WebRTC support for the dev channel version of its Chrome web browser. Google's WebRTC went open source over the summer, released as a way to standardize video/voice communication without moving outside the web browser. WebRTC uses JavaScript APIs and HTML5 to give browsers -- not just Google Chrome -- real-time, native communications capabilities.

What that means for end-users is that it could spell certain trouble for the likes of stand-alone clients like Skype and Tango. In addition to Google, Mozilla and Opera are also supporting the WebRTC technology, meaning apps based on WebRTC can be installed not only on Chrome, but Firefox and Opera. Right now WebRTC is being considered for standard status at the W3C and the IETF, and Google admits that WebRTC is still evolving based on feedback by developers and the standards process.

"[WebRTC] includes the fundamental building blocks for high quality communications on the web such as network, audio and video components used in voice and video chat applications," explains Google in the WebRTC FAQ. "These components, when implemented in a browser, can be accessed through a Javascript API, enabling developers to easily implement their own RTC web app."

"Building industry-leading voice and video capabilities into the browser makes it easier for web developers to incorporate real time communications in their apps," Google software engineer Niklas Enborn reports. "Instead of relying on custom, OS specific, proprietary plug-ins, they can now easily build and maintain their apps using a few simple JavaScript APIs and have the browser do the heavy lifting."

The search engine giant said that it began collaborating with vendors right after the WebRTC launch to help integrate the technology into their products. Polycom, Vonage, Vehix.com, Firespotter, Siemens, Nimbuzz and PCCW are currently actively developing browser-based solutions using WebRTC, Enborn said.

Just after Thanksgiving, reports indicated that WebRTC would allow streaming services like OnLive to pump games straight into a browser without the need for downloading a separate client. The news arrived after it was revealed that gamepad support was coming to Google's browser in 1Q12 along with support forcameras and microphones without the need for drivers.