Method for downloading and using a communication application through a web browser

A method, comprising:

• providing at a first communication device access to a video messaging system through a web browser interfacing with a web site, a user of the first communication device able to selectively render an incoming video message sent via the video messaging system through the web browser in both:
• (i) a real-time mode by rendering video media of the incoming video message simultaneously as the video media is transmitted by a second communication device, routed over a network to the first communication device, and received at the first communication device,
• the incoming video message including a message header containing information for routing the video media of the incoming video message, as a delivery route over the network to the first communication device is discovered using the information contained in the message header, with the discovery of the delivery route simultaneously occurring as the video media is transmitted by the second communication device and rendered at the first communication device, resulting in real-time communication between the first and second communication devices without first establishing a connection over the network between the first and second communication respectively;
• (ii) a time-shifted mode by rendering video media of the incoming message out of storage;
• and
• (iii) providing the ability for the user to selectively render the video messaging transmission in either of the two modes (i) and (ii).