When it comes to Web-based real-time communications (WebRTC), it seems like there's never a shortage of things going on. With lots of news in the sector, it's always a good idea to step back and take a look at some of the biggest events of the week, and that's exactly what the weekend was made for. So settle in, relax a bit, and let's run down the biggest events in WebRTC with our week in review coverage!
First, we had a look at the impact of WebRTC on Google Voice. Considering the sheer power and ubiquity that WebRTC can bring to the table, it's easy to wonder if Google Voice can hold up in the face of such an onslaught. It certainly doesn't help matters that Google Voice has gone so long without an upgrade, especially as a variety of Android and iOS chat applications are steadily showing up. Given that Google Reader recently got shut down, some are wondering if WebRTC and the other chat apps out there may cause Google to scrap another named app.
Next came a look at mysms, an app that's looking to put a few scares in the burgeoning market for SMS-killers. The mysms app is available on a variety of platforms—tablets, smartphones, and even PC products—and offers the ability to send, receive and even control messages across those platforms. Great for both mobile workers and the office-bound alike, mysms can even link up with Evernote to provide an extra layer of functionality and put those important documents in hand where ever they may be needed at the time.
Outlook.com users who were hoping for Skype functionality got a terrific close to their April with news that Skype video calling capability would indeed be available on Outlook.com, and available in rapid fashion. However, there would be a staggered rollout, so not every place would have it at the same time, but global availability was expected by summer. The whole thing was brought into play thanks to a browser plug-in that lets Outlook.com and Skype work together.
WebRTC represents a huge amount of changes to the way companies of all sizes do business, and as such, many of them are beginning to consider the implications of WebRTC as the communications tool becomes progressively more widely used. With changes in customer service, supplier contact and several other fields already making an appearance in the field, companies are, increasingly, in need of a response to this widening field of operations. To that end, companies that offer supplies for WebRTC are stepping up educational operations, offering webinars, conventions and the like.
Finally, a new release in voice chat powered by WebRTC comes our way in the form of MaxiAmigos.com, a site dedicated to helping people form “real” friendships. While MaxiAmigos.com already had some useful communications tools in an instant messaging function, the site stepped things up by bringing in a voice conversation option. Voice conversation, according to MaxiAmigos.com founder Rene Tapia, allows users to better compress conversations and discover whether or not there's actual chemistry between the two users.
It was a huge week in WebRTC, and with more and more being offered every week, it's not surprising that there's plenty of news coming out in the field. Our global online community is constantly in the hunt for more, so be sure to join us back here next week for all the latest news in WebRTC, and every week for our week in review coverage!
