Google to build video chat into Chrome

Google is to incorporate Skype-style video chatting in its web browser Chrome.

This will be implemented via a new open source project called WebRTC or Web Real-Time Communications.

The move will mean that rather than having to rely on plug-ins, the WebRTC platform will be opened up to developers to allow them to create voice and video chat apps using HTML and JavaScript APIs.

Google is also looking beyond Chrome, and is working with other browser devs such as Mozilla to bring the project to their users.

Microsoft has of course just paid a shed-load of money for Skype, and probably won’t be too pleased at the news.