WebRTC All Hype?
The topic of WebRTC is getting a lot of attention lately. I can see why it is so exciting – effectively it will transform any web device into (for lack of better term) a UC endpoint via the web browser. Some people think WebRTC is a game changer. Personally, I’m not so convinced – I’m already in the trough of disillusionment. It has the potential to change everything, but 1) lots of things have the potential to change everything (including VoIP itself which after 12 years is still not universally deployed) and 2) BFD – installing a plugin hasn’t killed me yet.
I decided to reach out to some colleagues to hash this out a bit more in a Google Hangout (imagine – someday WebRTC could enable a Google Hangout like conversation without a web plugin – BFD).
On the hangout is:
Kevin Keiller of EnableUC. Kevin is part of the UC Strategies team and caught my attention with his post on NoJitter: Is WebRTC Really the Cat’s Pajamas?
Tsahi Levent-Levi who I still associate with RADVISION, but he left that firm quite some time ago. Tsahi has become a WebRTC advocate in various venues, particularly his blog Bloggeek.me where he has been focusing on WebRTC.
Thomas Howe of Embrase who has passion for voice, disruption, development, and teaching. Thomas is excited about WebRTC as both a technology and as a game changer and is in the process of changing his game to make the most of it.
Referenced in the video is “How WebRTC Will Upend the World” by Erik Lagerway.
For additional information see: “Everything you Ever Wanted to Know About WebRTC”
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Good discussion points!
Great discussion! I completely agree with many points by Tsahi and Erik. The hype about WebRTC is not really what it is…it is where it is. It is RTC for the Web, and anyone can partake. There is no doubt that many of the technologies are not new, but placing them in the ubiquitous fabric of the web opens these communications tools (and they are still only tools…not a complete solution) to the most dynamic and innovative developer community. A hilarious Ballmer clip comes to mind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8To-6VIJZRE The fact that WebRTC is free to be used by any service, or application, or website doesn’t necessarily mean that traditional UC and SIP/PSTN will be replaced…it just changes the landscape, and arguably expands it. Couple your UC signaling APIs, with the media APIs of WebRTC…and your UC service just got better. However, when you are in a Facebook conversation, or on your bank website, or ordering pizza from a web page, you won’t use your UC app for that, you will just do it within your existing web session.