14 DAY TRIAL // Chrome 21 has graduated to the beta channel. Unlike other recent releases, this Chrome actually has some things to brag about, though they may sound a bit technical.
Google Chrome 21 boasts support for getUserMedia a API which enables websites to get access to a user's webcam or microphone without the need of any plugin or proprietary technology.
getUserMedia API - or webcam and microphone support
The feature is already used by whimsical apps which enable you to play around with a photo show with the webcam, add effects or stickers. There are already several app that make use of the API, but they're all on the fun side of things.
GetUserMedia though is a very important first step in implementing WebRTC, the API which promises full real-time communications support inside the browser, making things like Skype or Google+ Hangouts possible without Flash or any other plugin, everything will be standard and come with the browser.
WebRTC is not quite ready for mainstream use, but it's getting there and it's going to be a major development in the VoIP and communications world in general.
Opera 12 already has support for getUserMedia and is working on WebRTC. Mozilla is working on adding support for getUserMedia and WebRTC beyond that, there are some tech demos but nothing solid so far.
Gamepad JavaScript API
The second big feature in Google Chrome 21 is the Gamepad API for JavaScript. As the name suggests, it enables developers to access a gamepad via pure JavaScript, making web-based gaming a much more enticing prospect.
Chrome already has gamepad support for Native Client games, you can test it in AirMech and the recently released From Dust. Gamepad support via JavaScript is much more interesting though.
Along with the Mouse Lock API, the Gamepad API plus things like HTML5 Canvas, WebGL and super-fast JavaScript engines means that the browser can be as good as any desktop or indeed as any console when it comes to gaming. All it takes is for developers to step up and start building awesome games with these tools.
These two features are not of much actual use today, but they lay the groundwork for a new generation of powerful web apps that go beyond blurring the line between web apps and desktop apps, they start making us wonder if there is even a line there anymore.