Matrix: a new specification for federated realtime chat

We're not really not targeting the current encumbents (WhatsApp, FB, Skype etc) with Matrix (although if they want to federate up, hooray!) - but instead trying to provide a signalling layer for the next wave of chat apps, and indeed a federated layer between all the new WebRTC services which are popping up, which currently can't interoperate at all. In terms of how to monetise it: well, you can certainly sell value-added services on top of Matrix (e.g. PSTN connectivity; high-SLA hosting; translation services; voice->text transcription; etc) if you so desired. It's not all about advertising.

So hopefully there's still room for another open standard in this space :)