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.

Google Voice

[bigstrat2003]

Unless something has changed, Google Voice isn't VoIP, and doesn't charge to call landlines or cell phones because it uses your own phone minutes to call them.

Like Skype?

[X.25]

Thanks for visiting Google Voice. We're not yet open for users outside the US, but are planning to expand our service to additional countries in the future.

Sorry. Not even close to Skype.

Re:Am i so stupid???

[drb226]

Just subtract "anonymous" and it's a lot less impossible. The internet is kinda based around this thing called an IP address...

Re:Great Opertunity For Google

[Doogie5526]

Steve Jobs said it at the WWDC keynoe when it was announced in June of last year:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HP37O0horpY#t=6m44s [youtube.com]
"We're going to the standards bodies starting tomorrow and we're going to make FaceTime an open industry standard."

Sorry for the YouTube link, I couldn't load Quicktime streaming here.
http://www.apple.com/apple-events/wwdc-2010/ [apple.com]

WebRTC was in SKYPE pre 3.2 releases

[John Sokol]

Yup, your heard me, Global IP Solutions that was aquired last year by google was maker of the Engine that Skype was using.

Looks like they parted ways back in 2007 with Skype 3.2.

Looks like Skype really shot them selves in the foot on this one, Google just opensourced it with a BSD style license and soon Skype will be history.
Which may explain why they sold off to Microsoft reciently.

You can read more on my blog post.
http://videotechnology.blogspot.com/2011/06/webrtc-bringing-real-time.html [blogspot.com]

Re:Google Voice

[Bob Loblaw]

Sadly, Google Voice is not available to non-US users. Also, even if you lived in the US and obtained a Google Voice account, it is not usable when abroad. I am in that situation now unfortunately. If I use a VPN to connect out of the US, the Call option shows up in the GMail interface but not otherwise. It is kind of bizarre for them to limit this since computer to computer GTalk is not limited and it wouldn't seem to use up any more resources.