A new product that is expected to make waves in WebRTC (real-time communications) evolves from the VoIP (voice-over Internet protocol) pioneer Skype–the low-cost, global videoconferencing platform. Reportedly, more than 33 million hours of Skype time are used every day.
Skype always had been limited to app-based communications, but that will not hold true for much longer. According to a recent blog post, Skype is beginning to beta-test a Web-based option. Currently, this option would require a small plug-in, but Skype has confirmed that it is looking to move toward full WebRTC compatibility.
This new Web-based Skype allows for standardized video and sound transmission directly from browser-to-browser. Despite big-name backing from groups, however, it has struggled to find much real-world adoption.
Will Skype for the Web bring WebRTC into prominence? Let’s take a look.
1 – WebRTC is coming–sometime soon.
Skype is not commenting on when full WebRTC implementation is coming; leaders say only that they are working on it (alongside the Internet Explorer development team). Whether this is weeks, months, or years in the future is entirely up in the air.
While this likely won’t prevent millions of Skype users from embracing the new plug-in Web service, it still will limit Skype’s availability.
2 – Only certain browsers are supported.
Currently, Skype for the Web is compatible with these browsers:
- Internet Explorer (Mac/Windows)
- Firefox (Mac/Windows)
- Safari (Mac-only)
- Chrome (Windows-only)
Theoretically, a move to full WebRTC compatibility would necessitate full Chrome-for-anything compatibility as part of the deal. Whether this happens–and how long it takes to happen–is sure to inspire plenty of discussion.
Linux users are also frozen out at present.
3 – Lack of WebRTC standardization is slowing development.
Skype Chief Software Architect Bernard Aboba acknowledged the issues facing Skype and full cross-browser WebRTC compatibility.
In short, he said, the compatibility issues are not solely a decision on the part of Skype or Microsoft. The WebRTC standards still have not been fully-agreed on, and no browser currently supports all the features that Skype believes to be necessary.
This will undoubtedly influence the development time necessary for the plug-in-free version of Skype for Web.
Big Changes on the Horizon
Despite the questions raised, few see this as anything but good for consumer and small-business level VoIP and videoconferencing. Web-based Skype is expected to increase the system’s usage.
Once WebRTC technologies are finalized and standard among browsers, it will be well-positioned as a market contender.
