Overview

On April 28, 2015, Facebook announced the long expected video extensions to the Facebook Messenger, using WebRTC. The release of video calling in Facebook can be seen as both a simple change to the existing Skype integration and as the first real salvo in creating the next generation communications system. The big news is that 600 million Facebook users will instantly get real-time video, with a simple click, added to the app they use daily. Clearly, Facebook was willing to give up Internet Explorer support for this, as well as the enabling of Facebook video on Chromebooks, which will not support Skype. Chromebooks are very popular with the .edu crowd, a core demographic that Facebook wants to retain.The fact that Skype will not work on Chromebooks eliminates Facebook as their real-time communications enabler if Facebook is tied to Skype. By moving to WebRTC, Facebook immediately enables all of the Chromebook users to use them for Facebook video, assuring that the Chromebook crowd, a major Facebook demographic, stays in Facebook.

About Facebook

Facebook is a social networking website that was originally designed for college students, but is now open to anyone 13 years of age or older. Facebook users can create and customize their own profiles with photos, videos, and information about themselves. Friends can browse the profiles of other friends and write messages on their pages.

Content Source

You can find more information about Facebook’s announcement on WebRTC World.

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