WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communications) is a hot topic as of late because it enables any Web server to deliver a real-time communications experience. With WebRTC, any website can actually become a control and delivery point for real-time communications and the website through HTML/HTML5. WebRTC is completely different than most communications experiences.
WebRTC, an open source video communication framework for Web browsers, was open sourced by Google on Jun 1, 2011, following the acquisition by Google of Global IP Solutions, whose code is largely in WebRTC. Its objective is to enable rich, high quality, real-time communications in Web browsers via Java Script and HTML5, consisting of three major components: a voice engine, a video engine and transport (network I/O).
An innovator in communications, Plantronics has introduced source code that integrates headset functionality for WebRTC environments, including call control and contextual data like proximity and state information. The company is a global provider of audio communications for businesses and consumers that has created new trends in audio technology for several years, developing products that allow people to communicate.
"WebRTC is poised to explode as a vehicle for improvements in business workflow and consumer engagement alike, and we're excited to be a part of the effort as it begins to take off,” said Joe Burton, CTO and SVP of technology, development and strategy, Plantronics, in a statement.
Although it's possible to use a Bluetooth headset for a WebRTC call, it requires a high level of manual interaction - including hardcoding sample rates or direct configuration in the browser - that still doesn't deliver fully integrated functionality.
So, Plantronics' solution eliminates these steps through native integration with WebRTC using HTML5 only, leveraging websockets to integrate Plantronics' headsets and the company's Spokes software into the WebRTC call flow. The use of standard websocket communications means important information about the headset can be dynamically set by the Web application without any additional software running in the browser.
Burton added, "Plantronics has been at the forefront of groundbreaking communications innovation for decades and integration with WebRTC is no exception.”
Currently, sample code for Plantronics' WebRTC integration is free at GitHub and can also be accessed through the Plantronics developer community: Plantronics Developer Connection (PDC).
Edited by
Brooke Neuman
