ReadWriteWeb

Today OpenTok, the Web-based group video from TokBox, announced new features for its API - notably the ability to use the OpenTok platform embed video chat into iOS and Android applications.

OpenTok also added the ability to embed an OpenTok video stream on any website using a simple HTML widget.

Citrix announced today that users of its GoToMeeting, GoToWebinar and GoToTraining products will soon get HD video conferencing at no extra cost. The new technology, which they're calling HDFaces, was unveiled today at the Citrix Synergy event held in Berlin, Germany.

HDFaces allows up to six participants to join a video conference in resolutions as high as 1920p x 960p. Attendees can view the presenter's screen and see each other in high definition, making the experience a bit closer to a real, face-to-face meeting.

The presentation by Steve Jobs opening Apple's developer conference today was packed full of details large and small about the company's hardware and software, but the one detail that could have the biggest long-term impact well beyond Apple itself was the introduction of Apple's new video calling system, FaceTime. Jobs said on stage that the system was based on extensive use of open technical standards, and that the company intends to work hard to make FaceTime an open industry standard itself.

Live mobile video, interoperable across different phones and carriers, could be a force for major changes in the way we experience the Web and the world. It could be one of Apple's most important contributions to the future.

Google today announced a major update for Gmail: video and voice chat. To make this work, users only have to install a small browser plugin. Google will start enabling these new features for all Gmail and Google Apps users at 12pm PST today. As is typical for new releases in Gmail, Google will roll this feature out to all users over the "next day or so."

The new chat functionality will work on PCs with Windows XP or Vista, as well as on Macs with OS X 10.4 or later. The plugin will work with all the major browsers, including Google's own Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Safari.