WebSockets overcome HTTP’s request/response limits with a persistent, bidirectional, low-latency channel for real-time apps that power live updates, collaborative editing, and gaming/streaming. After an HTTP upgrade handshake, clients and servers exchange frames and pings. Devs need strong JavaScript, WebSocket API fluency, real-time rendering, and error handling; tools like Socket.IO and Pusher help. Example: a shared whiteboard syncing users instantly.