Microsoft is starting to favor the Chromium rendering engine for its integrated audio and video call technology. However, these restrictions have no technical explanation, other browsers supporting all the necessary codecs.
The website Ars Technica reveals that the last update of the web version of Skype is only supported by Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. It integrates HD video call support as well as call recording and other features.
An update reserved for Chromium who has no technical arguments
Firefox, Opera or Safari are excluded and their users will be forced to download the desktop application to be able to converse with their friends on Skype. Microsoft explains the thing by codec issues on these browsers.
The site explains that no technical constraint favors these two browsers compared to its competitors. All support both H.264 and VP8. Google Hangouts calls could work in Firefox, without even installing a dedicated plug-in.
Microsoft will focus on the Chromium rendering engine, which is integrated with Google Chrome but also soon Edge browser, whose editor is preparing a total technical overhaul to better adapt to modern web technologies.
Behind this decision, the fear of a Google monopoly on web technologies
All indications are that this decision is more strategic than technical. Microsoft wants to focus its work on what it calls ” customer value .” In other words, the publisher of Redmond will only work to adapt its services to Chromium, which represents more than half of the market share of Internet browsers today.
As Edge moves to Chromium very soon, Microsoft does not want to disperse and deploy investments for browsers with negligible market share globally.
This makes Ars Technica fear a web dedicated to Google’s solutions and technologies, which would be tantamount to a worrying situation of virtual monopoly and more if other companies like Microsoft finally decided to switch to Chromium too.