Websocket client

I am looking for Websocket client, these are my requirement.

1. Flash is painful it needs one more server running on port 883 and it will always first hit that port to get the policy file and it is not configurable however it will try to origin port next time to get policy file. What a mess!!! So I don't want Flash based solution.
2. Java applet --- may be ok and it is also one of the ubiquitous run time and most client machine should have Java installed.
3. I am targeting just 2 browsers (hmmm... not exactly) IE (7, 8 and 9 -- jus kidding) and Firefox. Is it possible to use proprietary browser API to work around? Safari and Chrome already supports websocket, Safari is expected to support websocket anytime soon.

Please post you comment, if you have any solution in your mind.