Google WebRTC: Can It Replace Skype?

mikejuk writes "Google WebRTC, all open source, is part of the web revolution that allows one browser to talk directly to another without the need for a server getting involved. WebRTC is an API that used the new P2P web API to allow developers to implement audio and video communications using direct P2P links between browsers. This really is a game changer." And, while this feature doesn't seem to have gotten a lot of attention so far, Google Voice can call landline and cell phones for a small fee, just like Skype.

Am i so stupid???

[stanlyb]

Tell me that such a thing as direct p2p connection between two anonymous computers in the wild, and even web-browser, is simply said IMPOSSIBLE without a third party, which is managing the tunnel between them. I simply don't see how this could work. No, no and no.

Great Opertunity For Google

[Frosty Piss]

MS has not announced how exactly they will change Skype, but you can bet it will involve monetization in all forms. Don't expect any of the currently free Skype services to continue. Asterisk already lost Skype support.

This is a great opportunity for Google to roll out a multi-platform competitor.

Re:Great Opertunity For Google

[Yvan256]

It's also a great opportunity for Apple to (finally) open the specifications for FaceTime, as they said they would when they introduced it.

Re:Am i so stupid???

[Jamu]

I'd imagine that Google will be the third party that allows the two peers to negotiate their p2p connection.

Re:Great Opertunity For Google

[h4rr4r]

They will do what they have always done, apple support will be a distant second and linux support if it exists will be in name only. See silverlight, and no moonlight is not anything other than support in name only. Even if they could make more money by having wider support, when it comes to Microsoft all will be sacrificed at the alter of the desktop monopoly.

WebRTC Open Code is missing important bits

[Tester]

The WebRTC code that was released is missing many important bits that are required to compete against Skype. The most important is probably a bandwidth management engine, the code that's currently public just sends at a pre-configured bitrate. That means it can only do low resolution video with a shitty quality.

That said, Google Talk in GMail and Android have a dynamic bitrate stuff, and I expect they will be released at some point. I should also mention that Farsight2/Farstream using in Empathy and Pidgin are currently gaining the same kind of bandwidth management that Google is doing. So we should get at least two independent open implementations soon.