Google to add Skype-like technology to Chrome

New communications technology to be integrated into browser and developer set

In a move that can be seen as a direct response to Microsoft's acquisition of Skype last month, Google has said it plans to integrate real-time chat software that resembles Skype into its Chrome browser.

The web giant is to integrate open-source software Web RTC into its browser, which will enable real-time communications capabilities via simple JavaScript APIs into Chrome.

According to Jan Linden, product manager for WebRTC, the project's open-source code will be incorporated into Chromium, the open-source project behind Google Chrome. This will allow developers to create applications around the software.

"We are working hard to complete the full integration into Chromium and Chrome including JavaScript APIs in WebKit, native audio and video capture and rendering.

"When we are done, any web developer shall be able to create RTC applications without using just WebRTC components that run in the sandbox."

The deal will see Google ramp up competition with Microsoft. Although details of Microsoft/Skype integration have not yet been released, it is expected that Skype will be added to the existing functionality of Lync, Microsoft's voice and video messaging service.

Meanwhile, the WebRTC community is working on implementing a universal set of JavaScript APIs and it expects to see WebRTC support in Firefox and Opera browsers soon too.