WebRTC is working toward changing a very common problem, Web browsers compatibility to function with real-time communications. It supports browser to browser applications, without plug-ins. Soon, users will not have to continuously download different software to ensure compatibility with those they are communicating with.
The project is still relatively new, beginning in May 2011, and still has a way to go before being completely immersed into the public. According to No Jitter, if WebRTC continues to follow the path of WebSocket and other Web technologies its adoption will continue to rapidly grow.
Stack Overflow, the leading site for software developer’s questions, has further evidence that WebRTC is starting to gain mainstream users.
On Stack Overflow, questions are tagged with information about the technologies being talked about. StackExchange data explorer shows that WebRTC is in the 6th percentile overall of topics being discussed. The fact that WebRTC is one of the most popular tags on Stack Overflow solidifies that it has a strong growth, and presence, in developers’ minds. WebRTC is making an impact, and will continue moving into the public sphere of real-time communications. If WebRTC grows as predicted, increasing at the same rate as other Web Technologies, its adoption will continue to accelerate.
WebRTC is stimulating the growth of apps and websites that utilize voice and video messaging features. Not only can WebRTC change peer-to-peer communication, but will have a huge impact in the customer service world. Customers who are browsing a website will have the chance to easily chat with a staff member about and questions or concerns, and receive an immediate response. Also, companies like Blackboard, are becoming the first tech companies to utilize an early adoption of WebRTC, revealing the impact it will soon have on education.
WebRTC’s momentum is growing, and it clear it is not slowing down anytime soon. We will have to wait and see how it continues to impact and change web communication.
Edited by
Maurice Nagle
