New Google Blog

[Dec 15, 2005] Google's just published 'Jingle' protocol documentation. 'Jingle' is a set of extensions to XMPP for use in VoIP, video, and other peer-to-peer multimedia sessions.

Google is supporting the standardization and evolution of these protocols. In October they hired Sean Ega (Gaim project), and they collaborate with the Jabber Software Foundation.

'Jingle' protocol is an open version of the protocols used in 'Google Talk', and the specifications published today are two. The first one is 'JEP-0166: Jingle Signalling', it's the core technology for peer-to-peer session management, and was authored by Scott Ludwig and Joe Beda of Google (among others).

The second specification is 'JEP-0167: Jingle Audio', it's the session description format for audio, and was developed by Scott Ludwig of Google (among others).

In addition, and according to this press release, other specifications will be published in the near future for additional multimedia session types (e.g., video), as well as to document interoperability with other standards like SIP, H.323, and IAX.

UPDATED: Google's just released Libjingle, a programming library to interoperate with Google Talk's peer-to-peer and voice calling capabilities.