How to start chatting with webRTC, the no-hassle, in-browser voice and video tech

There's a relatively new technology built in to most browsers that could revolutionize the way you talk with your friends and family. Called webRTC, the HTML 5-based tech could one day replace the need for third-party plugins from services like Google Hangouts or Skype, offering voice and video chat capabilities natively in your browser.

Even better, most implementations of the technology don't require an account of any kind. Chats take place on a web page that you set up on a site that supports webRTC. To get chatting all you have to do is share a link to the web page and you'll be up and running in no time. Talk about hassle free!

If you'd like to give webRTC a try, here's how to get started.

Your browser

Many current browsers for the PC support webRTC, including Chrome, Firefox, and Opera. Apple's Safari doesn't and neither does Microsoft's Internet Explorer; however, Microsoft-owned Skype plans on supporting webRTC in the future with its newly announced Skype for Web project.

If you want to go mobile Chrome, Firefox, and Opera support webRTC on Android. On iOS you can try Bowser.