The software, called gRPC, is based on HTTP/2, an updated standard for transmitting Web pages and apps over the Internet Potentially offering a boost for web server software worldwide, Google has released as open source a framework for HTTP/2, the newly updated standard for transmitting Web pages and Web applications over the Internet. The software, called gRPC, handles remote procedure calls (RPC) between servers and clients, such as browsers or mobile applications. It is based on HTTP/2, which was ratified as a standard earlier this month by the Internet Engineering Steering Group (IESG). “gRPC is based on many years of experience in building distributed systems,” wrote Mugur Marculescu, Google product manager, in a blog post announcing the code. The gRPC framework powers most of Google’s services today, fielding tens of billions of Web calls every second. In development for a number of years, HTTP/2 could goose Web performance in a variety of ways, such as through header compression and the ability to send multiple requests at once over a single connection. Based on Google’s own Spdy protocol, HTTP/2 could speed web traffic as well as significantly reduce power consumption on battery-reliant mobile devices. The gRPC platform can be integrated into multiple languages, including C, C++, Java, Go, Node.js, Python, and Ruby. Google is also working on libraries for Objective-C, PHP and C#. In addition to Google, HTTP/2 also found a home in the latest Firefox browser: Firefox version 36, released earlier this week, also supports the fresh protocol. Not everyone is on the HTTP/2 bandwagon, however. Poul-Henning Kamp, the developer of the FreeBSD operating system, has said that HTTP/2 is overly complex, provides no additional user privacy checks, and, despite Google’s claims otherwise, probably isn’t any faster than the original HTTP. Related content news analysis Google can’t seem to quit cookies, delays killing them again Google cited regulatory challenges in its oft-delayed plans to phase out third-party cookies from its Chromium products. It now plans to eliminate cookies in 2025 By Lucas Mearian Apr 25, 2024 5 mins Chrome Browser Security Chrome OS news Apple reportedly cuts Vision Pro production due to low demand Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims Apple is putting the brakes on production of the spatial computing headset due to low demand; the Vision Pro launched in the US earlier this year. By Matthew Finnegan Apr 25, 2024 4 mins Augmented Reality Apple Virtual Reality feature Windows 11: A guide to the updates Here’s what you need to know about the latest updates to Windows 11 as they’re released from Microsoft. Now updated for KB506980 Preview, released on April 23, 2024. By Preston Gralla Apr 25, 2024 59 mins Small and Medium Business Windows 11 Windows feature Windows 10: A guide to the updates Here's what you need to know about each update to the current version of Windows 10 as it's released from Microsoft. Now updated for KB5036979 Preview, released on April 23, 2024. By Preston Gralla Apr 25, 2024 172 mins Small and Medium Business Windows 10 Microsoft Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe