As you can read about here, here, and here, Google has just released an experimental open source 3D browser plugin.
The plugin uses O3D, which is “a new, shader-based, low-level graphics API for creating interactive 3D applications in a web browser.” It allows you to create and manipulate 3D graphics via JavaScript. They are working with the Khronos group to develop the standard.
I’m not sure where they’re going with this, but I like it. As an open source API, eventually it could find itself built directly in to browsers.
Windows and Mac users can download binaries here, and there are build instructions for Linux (32-bit only – doh!).
A great start with O3D, I do hope that Google adopt open standards so everyone can benefit and interoperate.
ExitReality web 3D app already achieves this on Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome, Apple Safari and Opera browsers.
It also supports all graphics cards in laptops, you don’t need a gamers machine to experience 3D multiuser worlds anymore.
All standard web picture, video and audio content are supported too along with Interactive Flash.
Full support for Khronos groups Collada format and ISO X3D open standards and MPEG4 avatar standards also.
http://www.exitreality.com
It is exiting news.