WebSockets allow for bidirectional communication between a client and server over a single TCP connection. They improve on older "Comet" techniques which used polling and long-polling to simulate real-time updates. With WebSockets, the client can open a WebSocket connection to the server which sends messages at any time without needing an explicit request. This enables real-time applications with constantly updating information. The document outlines the WebSocket protocol, provides examples of the API in browsers, and discusses frameworks for building WebSocket applications.