There are many different providers which offer video chat services, many of them free. While that is convenient, there is the issue of having to download and install those programs. What if you can do a video chat on your browser without having to install a plugin or any other program?
This is exactly what the creators of WebRTC had in mind when they conceptualized the web standard.
WebRTC, which stands for Web Real Time Communication, is the brainchild of Global IP Solutions. The group was acquired by Google in 2010, and they are aiming to make WebRTC as widespread as possible. The idea is simple: to be able to launch and hold a video chat on any browser without having to download a plugin. This is made possible with the use of simple Javascript APIs and HTML5.
Currently, the standard is still in the works, with revisions and tweaks being implemented. At this early stage, however, WebRTC is already garnering positive feedback, with users saying that it is simple and it works. It has even gathered the support of giants in the browser world such as Mozilla, Opera, and naturally, Google.
Want to see proof of what might be in store for the future of video chat? Here is a video showcasing WebRTC on Mozilla. It is simply a demo, and even the guys of Mozilla says it is too early for conclusions, but they are rather excited about the possibilities.
Is WebRTC the harbinger of bad news for platforms such as Skype? Will you be tempted to forego all the other video chat programs for in-browser video chat?
