The Internet is no stranger to audio and video. Everyday web applications, such as Netflix and Pandora, stream audio and video content to millions of people. On the other hand, the Web is a stranger to real-time communication. Websites, such as Facebook, are only just starting to enable video-based communication in a browser, and they typically use a plugin that users have to install. This is where Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC) comes into play.
In this chapter, we are going to cover the basics of WebRTC:
- The current status of the audio and video space
- The role that WebRTC plays in changing this space
- The major features of WebRTC and how they can be used
Communicating with audio and video is a fairly common task with a history of technologies and tools. For a good example of audio communication, just take a look at a cell phone carrier. Large phone companies have established large networks of audio communication technology to bring audio communication to millions of people across the globe. These networks are a great example when it comes to showing widespread audio communication at its finest.
Video communication is also becoming just as prevalent as audio communication. With technologies such as Apple's FaceTime, Google Hangouts, and Skype video calling, speaking to someone over a video stream is a simple task for an everyday user. A wide range of techniques have been developed in these applications to ensure that the quality of the video is an excellent experience for the user. There have been engineering solutions to problems, such as losing data packets, recovering from disconnections, and reacting to changes in a user's network.
The aim of WebRTC is to bring all of this technology into the browser. Many of these solutions require users to install plugins or applications on their PCs and mobile devices. They also require developers to pay for licensing, creating a huge barrier and deterring new companies to join this space. With WebRTC, the focus is on enabling this technology for every browser user without the need for plugins or hefty technology license fees for developers. The idea is to be able to simply open up a website and connect with another user right then and there.