Tag Archives: webrtc

Chrome and Firefox now talking to each other through WebRTC chats (video)

Posted on by

Chrome and Firefox now talking to each other through WebRTC chats

The dream for WebRTC is to offer truly software-independent video and voice chat, but it hasn't worked out that way given limited support. Google and Mozilla have just showed us that it's at last possible to reach across the aisle, provided both sides are running the newest browsers. Should one user run Chrome 25 beta and the other run a nightly build of Firefox, a flag switch will let the two sides hold a video conversation solely through a web app. This doesn't mean we're about to toss out Google Talk or Skype, mind you: even when finished versions of the browsers appear, we'll need both a completed WebRTC standard and the web developer support to see broader usage. Nonetheless, it's clear that cross-browser chat is at least on the horizon.

Filed under: , ,

Comments

Source: Chromium Blog, Mozilla

Firefox 18 launched with Retina support, Android browser also updated

Posted on by

Firefox 18 launched with Retina support, Android browser also updated

We took a look at Mozilla's mobile OS at the final pre-proper CES event yesterday, and little did we know the official release of its Firefox 18 browser was dropping today. The update adds the new Javascript compiler IonMonkey, which is said to make wep apps "perform up to 25 percent faster." Mac users who will settle for nothing less than high-res browsing will be happy to know Retina display support has been implemented, as long as you're on OS X 10.7 or above. Preliminary support for WebRTC has also been added. The upgrade is available now, but if you're reading this on FF, you've probably got it already.

The Android version of the Firefox browser has received a little TLC alongside its computer-based counterpart. The IonMonkey compiler is also new to this version, the Google Now search widget has been integrated, and Mozilla suggests mobile browsing has never been safer. Head to the source link for the release notes for both versions.

Filed under: , ,

Comments

Source: Mozilla (1), (2)

Chrome Beta adds video engagement APIs, promises higher-quality video chats sans plugin

Posted on by

Chrome Beta adds video engagement APIs, promises higherquality video chats sans plugin

After concentrating on gaming and visual improvements in previous releases of Chrome, the browser's latest focus appears to be in video engagement. The latest beta includes a PeerConnection API that lets developers create real-time video chat applications without a plug-in. This builds upon existing WebRTC integration with a new getUserMedia API that should result in higher-quality video, audio, and data communications. The Beta also bundles in track support for HTML5 video, letting developers add in subtitles, captions, and other metadata -- the above photo, for example, is a screencap of a bike ride video enhanced with Google Map and Street View data. Another nice addition is a MediaSource API which adjusts video quality based on computer and network environments, which should put an end to those agonizing waits while the dancing inmate version of Gangnam Style buffers. Those interested can get their mitts on the new Chrome Beta today.

Filed under: ,

Chrome Beta adds video engagement APIs, promises higher-quality video chats sans plugin originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 02:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceGoogle Chromium Blog  | Email this | Comments

Chrome experiment explores new types of navigation, degrees of embarrassment

Posted on by

Chrome experiment reveals embarrassing wonders of bodily navigation

What you're about to see, should you choose to click the source link below, is far from perfect. On the other hand, it's clearly had a lot of effort and expertise put into it -- not only by HTML5-savvy coders, but also by a troupe of performers from the Cirque du Soleil. It's called Movi.Kanti.Revo, which is a fancy way of saying Move.Sing.Dream, and it involves navigating through an ethereal and slightly laggy landscape using only swaying gestures, your singing voice (mournful sobbing sounds also worked for us) and a bunch of APIs that conveniently fail to work on FireFox, Safari or Internet Explorer. It's well-suited to those with a mic and webcam, preferably sitting in a open-plan and bully-ridden workplace, and if you don't like it there's always Bastion.

Filed under: , ,

Chrome experiment explores new types of navigation, degrees of embarrassment originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Sep 2012 10:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Google  |  sourceMovi.Kanti.Revo  | Email this | Comments

Microsoft no fan of existing WebRTC standard, proposes its own to get Skype onboard

Posted on by

Microsoft no fan of WebRTC standard in Chrome, proposes its own to get Skype onboard

Microsoft, objecting to a web standard promoted by its competitors? Get out. While Firefox, Opera and now Chrome have implemented WebRTC on some level for plugin-free VoIP and webcam chats, Microsoft doesn't think the existing, proposed standard is up to snuff for linking with existing devices or obeying "key web tenets." It's suggesting a new CU-RTC-Web standard to fix what it claims is broken with WebRTC. Thankfully, the changes are more technical improvements than political maneuvering: Microsoft wants a peer-to-peer transport level that gives more control as well as to reduce some of the requirements that it sees holding the technology back as of today. There's no doubt an economic incentive for a company that wants to push Skype in the browser, but the format is already in front of the W3C and could become a real cross-platform standard. If other W3C members are willing to (slightly) reinvent the wheel, Microsoft's approach could get Chrome and Internet Explorer users talking -- no, really talking.

Filed under:

Microsoft no fan of existing WebRTC standard, proposes its own to get Skype onboard originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 15:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink SlashGear  |  sourceInteroperability @ Microsoft, W3C  | Email this | Comments

Google Chrome 21 stable release adds Retina MacBook Pro support, webcam use without plugins

Posted on by

Google Chrome Retina Display

Some Retina MacBook Pro owners have been waiting for this day for six weeks: that promised Retina support in Google Chrome is now part of a finished, stable release. Chrome 21 is now crisp and clear for those who took the plunge on Apple's new laptop but would rather not cling to Safari for the web. No matter what hardware you're using, Google has rolled in its promised WebRTC support to let webcams and microphones have their way without Flash or other plugins. Other notable tweaks like wider support for Cloud Print and gamepads tag along in the update as well. If you're at all intrigued by the expanded hardware support in Chrome, Google has an abundance of details (and downloads) at the links below.

Filed under: ,

Google Chrome 21 stable release adds Retina MacBook Pro support, webcam use without plugins originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Jul 2012 17:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Google Chrome Blog  |  sourceGoogle  | Email this | Comments

New Google Chrome beta lets webcams go plugin-free, video chat gets a lot less Flashy

Posted on by

New Google Chrome beta lets webcams go pluginfree, video chat gets a lot less Flashy

Google has been talking up the prospects of integrating WebRTC into Chrome for the past several months. It's now ready to put theory into practice with a fresh beta of the web browser. The upgrade uses WebRTC to let typical microphones and webcams talk to the browser without using a plugin like Flash or something otherwise so very 2011. Just to embrace this future of direct hardware support ever the more tightly, Google is also building in a gamepad programming interface that lets controllers tap into Chrome without having to rely on Native Client's magic. There's more waiting at the source link, including more direct tie-ins with Cloud Print, so the more adventurous among us can get to chatting (and playing) right away.

Filed under: , ,

New Google Chrome beta lets webcams go plugin-free, video chat gets a lot less Flashy originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Jul 2012 19:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Google Chromium Blog  |  sourceGoogle  | Email this | Comments

Mozilla demos WebRTC integration, browser-powered video chat (video)

Posted on by
Mozilla demos WebRTC integration, browser-powered videochat
Last week at IETF 83 in Paris Mozilla gave a little demo that went almost completely unnoticed. The team behind Firefox showed off an experimental built of its flagship browser with integrated WebRTC support. To showcase the real-time communication plug-in's capabilities, the foundation built a simple video chat client based around Persona and SocialAPI. Whether or not such a feature will ever make it into an official build of the browser remains to be seen, but for now you can check out the simple, yet impressive, HTML and Javascript demo after the break.

Continue reading Mozilla demos WebRTC integration, browser-powered video chat (video)

Mozilla demos WebRTC integration, browser-powered video chat (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 21:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink TechCrunch  |  sourceMozilla Hacks  | Email this | Comments