Google’s super fast web browser Chrome is getting an interesting upgrade from the development team that is planning to give it support for a protocol that give apps installed in Chrome the ability to find and then interact with “first screen devices.” François Beaufort reports that is looking to implement a new ‘DIAL’ API. This web service is used for Discovery and Launch and is used to connect the Chrome browser to other devices by utilizing an already existing network.
First screens usually include televisions while the second screen refers to computers, laptops, smartphone or tablets. This definition is changing thanks to the amount of content available online and through different mediums. That is why it seems natural for Google to try and connect first and second screens.
Google has not been very open about the protocol but Beaufort found the DIAL protocol on dial-multiscreen.org. He was unable to access the site. The site has not content on it right now but it is possible that the page might get some information on it in the future. The page has been registered to Netflix which is at the forefront of technology that connects to first screen devices.
All Google has said about the new technology is that, “The API will allow extensions to receive events from a DIAL service running within Chrome which notifies of devices being discovered on the local network.” Beaufort adds that, “I’d simply say that Chromium will soon become more aware of new Lounge Devices on the network.”
Source: The Next Web