January 2023 Summaries

Latency and jitter are two major factors affecting real-time communication efficiency. Latency refers to the delay in data transmission, while jitter denotes the variation within this delay. Both can cause significant disruption to audio or video applications, leading to stuttering calls, robotic feedback, buffering delays, or dropped connections. To minimize these issues, developers must understand their causes and learn how to test and monitor latency and jitter. Various strategies can be employed to reduce both, such as setting up a content delivery network (CDN), eliminating bottlenecks, using download managers, optimizing network configurations, and implementing jitter buffers. Agora's platform is designed to provide developers with the tools they need to create seamless real-time communication experiences by minimizing latency and jitter.

In 2023, the gaming industry is expected to see several trends shaping its future. Firstly, AI-assisted game development will enable smaller studios to compete by reducing content production costs through machine learning and artificial intelligence. Secondly, cloud gaming is predicted to rise again with more providers entering the market, leveraging ultrafast networks like 5G. Lastly, despite potential economic downturns, the gaming industry is expected to remain resilient due to its cost-effective entertainment value. Agora's real-time engagement platform SDKs and APIs can help developers create engaging and immersive gaming experiences in this competitive landscape.

In this blog, Agora conducted a detailed comparison of its Video SDK against Zoom's Video SDK in multi-host video calls on desktop PCs with 8, 16, and 32 participants under varying real-world network conditions. The results showed that the Agora SDK performed more reliably and efficiently overall, especially under challenging conditions where Zoom experienced frozen or choppy video. Agora's performance advantages were consistent across all test scenarios, demonstrating its ability to adapt efficiently to changing network conditions.

Internet bandwidth is the rate at which information can be transmitted over a network from one location to another. It is an essential metric for evaluating a network's or internet service provider's reliability and speed. Bandwidth can be measured in bits per second (bps), megabits per second (Mbps), gigabits per second (Gbps), or bytes per second (B/s). The amount of data sent and received over a given time period is typically used as a proxy for internet bandwidth. Bandwidth can be calculated by determining the total number of potential users accessing the network at once, then multiplying that number by the bandwidth needs of each application. Poor performance of applications and services is a direct result of limited network capacity. Agora's technology automatically adjusts video quality to keep it as smooth as possible in low-bandwidth scenarios, ensuring a high-quality experience for users.

EpiTek, a South African edtech startup founded in 2021 by five co-founders, aims to broaden access to education and training in the African market through its end-to-end online learning platform solutions. The company offers white-label, fully customizable integrations for small- to large-scale customer requirements. EpiTek's core features include e-learning, e-assessments, learning management systems, and analytics. The platform has partnered with Agora for real-time communication in live virtual classrooms. Currently serving the underserved African private training market, EpiTek plans to expand its product offering and add value to international markets globally in the coming years.

In this three-part blog series, we explore how Agora's intelligent global network for building scalable, low-latency Real-Time Engagement (RTE) solutions can help overcome the challenges of connectivity and interoperability in the metaverse. Part one focuses on ubiquitous availability, which is crucial for reaching a wider audience and enabling seamless interactions across various platforms such as PCs, mobile devices, and virtual reality systems. The blog highlights the importance of cross-platform accessibility and real-time 3D rendering capabilities to ensure a comprehensive and functional experience in the emerging metaverse industry. Agora's solutions offer features like 3D spatial audio, metadata synchronization, and interactive live streaming, which can enhance digital communication and collaboration within virtual spaces.