No other topic is roaming the news and social media as much as WebRTC these days. But what is WebRTC and what does it mean to me?

Today I would like to give you an overview around this new trend and where it comes from. In this article I would like to try out the “For Busy People” article format by consolidating all hot topics into quick facts to add value to you without getting side-tracked. I know you busy people are busy and so you can just skip the parts of the article that you are not interested in.

What does WebRTC stand for?

WebRTC means Web Real-Time Communication, so we are talking about ways to communicate without any delay, based on a web-browser, without the use of software that needs to be installed beforehand.

What is WebRTC?

WebRTC is an open framework for placing real-time communication components on web-pages and is controlled by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), who are also taking care of other web-standards such as HTML, XML, CSS and others. WebRTC components could include methods such as VoIP, Instant Messaging (or just “chat”), video conferencing or a combination of these. Personally I would count WebRTC to the umbrella of Unified Communications, but the actual use of the WebRTC solutions depend on each enterprise.

Where does WebRTC come from?

WebRTC technology was first developed by Global IP Solutions (or GIPS), a company founded around 1999 in Sweden. In 2011 GIPS was acquired by Google and the W3C started to work on a standard for WebRTC. Since then Google and other major players in the web-browser market, such as Mozilla and Opera, have been showing great support for WebRTC.

How does WebRTC work?

The framework is based on HTML5 and JavaScript but does not utilise SIP or H.323 like other Unified Communication solutions. The signalling and transfer of data works over RTP and with an XMPP extension called “Jingle”. With the newly introduced JavaScript Session Establishment Protocol (JSEP) direct connections can be established without the need of a piece of hardware in the middle. Depending on the deployment audio, video and / or other data can now be exchanged to allow WebRTC to happen in your browser.

And for our firewall traversal specialists: WebRTC can do STUN, ICE, TURN, RTP-over-TCP and supports proxies. What else do you wish for?

How does WebRTC work? – Click for larger pop-up

What does WebRTC mean to me?

Imagine the impact of 1,000,000,000+ endpoints. Not bad! This is the potential amount of endpoints talking to each other and making VoIP calls or even video conferences. Even though Microsoft is strongly pushing Skype for desktop video conferencing, they are also making sure that their Internet Explorer is ready to take on the WebRTC challenge.

But the missing link right now is: Will there be interoperability between WebRTC and other Unified Communication solutions? I believe the first developers, making both worlds compatible to each other will have edge.

Examples for WebRTC?

The possibilities are impossible to count. Especially in the age of BYOD everyone has their smartphone always ready and beyond that every notebook and desktop PC could participate in WebRTC. Here are some examples I could think of:

• Customer service via video conference (the end of the service hotline?)
• Working together on documents via web (web-collaboration beyond firewalls)
• Smart-TVs allow you do do video conferences without infrastructure or service running in the back (if there’s a browser – there’s a way!)
• Not interested in video conferences? Have a video diary! (takes only cloud storage and WebRTC)
• WebRTC might change the face of Social Media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter completely if implemented (why not quickly talk about it?)
• Instead of displaying phone numbers to your common window-shopper, provide a QR-code or a NFC space, so users can reach directly to you with their smartphone or tablet (we got a camera, a mic, a speaker – so let’s use them!)

Is there a WebRTC presentation?

You are lucky! Google has recently released a web-based presentation with a lot of interesting slides. I have also added a video below, for your to get some more details on WebRTC, Let me know of your thoughts!

Web Real-time communication – Google I/O 2013 - by Justin Uberti

Related articles

• A WebRTC Client as a Skype Alternative
• WebRTC without a signaling server
• WebRTC is growing fast: soon to surpass one billion devices [GigaOM]
• WebRTC Study – Ten things CIOs should know about the new WebRTC technology
• The Next Billion of WebRTC Devices: Or Why Apple and Microsoft Don’t Matter
• Mozilla, AT&T show WebRTC phone-Web communications link

Connect several devices with LifeSize Smart Video (Image by LifeSize)

Earlier today LifeSize, a division of Logitech, has introduced a change in their Smart Video portfolio. Smart Video is designed to simplify the video collaboration experience and usability. After they introduced their first Smart Video hardware endpoint solution, the Icon series, earlier this year, they are now revamping ClearSea to be part of the UVC platform.

ClearSea is a former Mirial solution that found a new home after Mirial was acquired by LifeSize. In the old days it required hardware infrastructure to run the product on licence base. Now LifeSize has turned the desktop, smartphone and tablet video solution into a part of their UVC platform, resulting in the service to be virtualised. This is a great addition to the more and more virtualised unified communications solution portfolio directly out of Austin, Texas.

Features

• Unlimited amount of user accounts
• Invite guests
• Connect up to 5 devices with a single account
• All logged in devices will receive an incoming video conference call
• Smooth live transfer of calls between logged in devices
• Add participants to a call
• Synchronised and customisable directory
• Full SIP and H.323 support

The UVC ClearSea solution will be available from today, starting at 1,199 USD MSRP. For more information please consult the datasheet, visit the LifeSize blog or go directly to the UVC ClearSea product page for a free 30-day trial.

About LifeSize

LifeSize is a pioneer and world leader in high-definition video collaboration. Designed to make video conferencing truly universal, our full range of open standards-based systems offer enterprise-class, IT-friendly technologies that enable genuine human interaction over any distance. Founded in 2003 and acquired by Logitech in 2009, LifeSize, with its commitment to relentless innovation, continues to extend the highest-quality video conferencing capabilities to anyone, anywhere. For more information, visit http://www.lifesize.com.

Related articles

• LifeSize Takes Smart Video Mobile
• LifeSize Takes Smart Video Mobile
• LifeSize Takes Smart Video Mobile
• Have An Ultimate Experience With The LifeSize Icon Video Conferencing System
• LifeSize Communications lays off Austin workers
• Personal Telepresence – Software Solution Comparison

Viber Desktop with all new features (Image by Viber Media Inc.)

Some of you might know Viber already and that they are  now also providing a solution for Windows and Mac based workstations. For everyone else here is a quick introduction to Viber:

What is Viber?

Viber is a cross-platform VoIP solution for consumers developed by Viber Media Inc. It was first introduced to iOS in December 2010. Since then they have been increasing support for other smartphone platforms such as Android, Windows Phone, BlackBerry, Nokia Symbian and Samsung Bada. Their app does not cost anything but the initial registration requires a SMS to be send for validating your phone number.

What’s new?

On May 7, 2013 Viber released software clients for Windows and Mac. So you are able to install the application on your computer or notebook and register with your phone number to synchronise contacts. When you are logged in with both your smartphone and a desktop client at the same time you can move any active call to the other device.

Features

So what value does it add to your unified communications environment? Here are some of the new (and some old) features that might come in handy:

• VoIP calls based on data connection (user-to-user only)
• Instant Messaging function (synchronised on all devices)
• Video Conferencing (beta)
• Switch active calls between logged-in clients
• Contacts are based on your local phone book (and 3rd party directories if you are using any, e.g. Facebook, LinkedIn, Google Contacts, etc.)

Positioning

The Viber solution is clearly positioned in the consumer market and gained wide popularity among users in that category. So far I have not come across enterprises utilising Viber as part of their unified communications strategy. If you are using Viber for professional purposes please feel invited to share your experiences in the comment section below.

Competition

As the Facebook Chat app is currently tested for possible VoIP features and beta tested, Viber seeks to increase their solution portfolio to maintain market share and this release seems to be the result of that. Other in-direct competitors of consumer-based unified communication tools are solutions such as WhatsApp for instant messaging and Skype for video conferencing.

Possible Business Usage

If you and your social network connections list their smartphone number along with the social profile, and install the apps of such on their smartphone they will see each other on Viber. Being completely synchronised  they will be able to communicate via VoIP, video conference or instant message beyond their enterprises unified communications abilities. This should serve for non-critical communication only though, as consumer solutions might not be sufficient to match your organisations IT security policies.

The Viber Desktop Introduction Video

Related articles

• Viber vs Skype: Which is the best?
• Skype Rival Viber Joins the Desktop Phone, Video Chat Party
• Viber Desktop Brings VoIP Challenge To Skype
• Viber Desktop for Mac and Windows hits as Skype gets competition
• Viber hits desktop, iOS app gains video chat, live call transfer, new stickers and more
• VoIP App ‘Viber’ Gets A Major Holo-clad Makeover, Releases Desktop Application