The open-source technology is now integrated with the Dev Channel

Google has built the WebRTC technology into a test version of Chrome to let the browser run voice and video chat applications within the browser interface.

Chrome's Dev Channel version now has WebRTC, a technology Google acquired in 2010 and open sourced last year that uses Javascript APIs (application programming interfaces) and HTML5 to give browsers native, real-time communications capabilities.

"Building industry-leading voice and video capabilities into the browser makes it easier for web developers to incorporate real time communications in their apps. Instead of relying on custom, OS specific, proprietary plug-ins, they can now easily build and maintain their apps using a few simple JavaScript APIs and have the browser do the heavy lifting," Niklas Enbom, a Google software engineer

WebRTC, which is also being supported by browser makers Mozilla and Opera, is being considered for standard status at the W3C and the IETF. Companies like Polycom, Vonage, Vehix.com, Semens and PCCW are developing browser-based applications using the technology, according to Enbom.

Google acquired WebRTC when it bought Global IP Solutions in 2010 and released it as open-source code in mid-2011. With WebRTC, developers will be able to create voice and video chat applications that execute inside the browser, without users needing to install plug-ins, according to the technology's website.

"[WebRTC] includes the fundamental building blocks for high quality communications on the web such as network, audio and video components used in voice and video chat applications," reads a description. "These components, when implemented in a browser, can be accessed through a Javascript API, enabling developers to easily implement their own RTC web app."

Google wants Web browsers to be as fast and as capable of running applications as possible, which is why it came out with its own browser, Chrome, and made its development project, Chromium, open source.

There are four tiers of Chrome browser releases: the Canary Build, non-tested and not guaranteed to run; the Dev Channel, tested but likely to contain bugs; the Beta Channel, more tested and polished; and the Stable Channel, which is fully tested.

Google, Facebook and Twitter are getting attention as revelers say goodbye to 2011 and hello to 2012

Google has a new Doodle, Facebook prepares for an onslaught of uploads and Twitter will help you keep up with the Times Square celebration.The Internet search leader has a new Doodle that celebrates the holiday, social networking site Facebook is preparing for an onslaught of photo uploads and so you don't miss any of the action Twitter has a way for you to keep up with the news and quips about the ball dropping in New York City.
The online world is shaping up to be a fun destination for people celebrating the new year.
Google's latest Doodle, presumably its last in a busy year of playing around with its home page, consists of each of the company's six letters decked out in party attire amidst confetti and balloons. As Saturday dawned, the festive-looking Doodle didn't do more than take you to a search results page for "Happy New Year," but who knows, maybe Google built in more interactivity that would surface closer to the ball dropping. Or maybe not. Regardless, this one was getting global attention.
The Doodle, which you can see at Google's home page, was first spotted on South Korean and New Zealand landing pages since, because of time zone differences, Asia and Pacific regions roll into 2012 earlier than the United States.
If you're a Google Doodle fan and would simply like to take another look at all the good ones from 2011, check out its recently revamped Google Doodle website, which is now not only a hub for Doodles but also an online Doodle Store where you can purchase posters, t-shirts, coffee mugs, skateboard decks, and other Doodle paraphernalia.
Twitter to keep up with the buzz about the ball dropping in New York City, or stream it live using the official Times Square New Year's Eve Ball app for Apple and Android devices.
And according to  Facebook just might get more than a billion photo uploads on New Year's Eve 2011. After all, during Halloween night 2010 and the following day it accepted 1.2 billion uploads. Now it has at least 200 million more users.