Opera Unite Launches, Embeds Web Server In Browser

Opera today announced an Alpha build of its Opera Unite, a technology that adds a Web Server to its Opera browser and allows users to instantly share photos, music, and other files without using any third party software or online services.

"Today, we are opening the full potential of the Web for everyone," said Jon von Tetzchner, CEO, Opera. "Technology moves in distinct cycles. PCs decentralized computing away from large mainframes. Opera Unite now decentralizes and democratizes the cloud. With server capability in the browser, Web developers can create Web applications with profound ease. Consumers have the flexibility to choose private and efficient ways of sharing information. We believe Opera Unite is one of our most significant innovations yet, because it changes forever the fundamental fabric of the Web."

There are currently six different Opera Unite services being offered:

• File Sharing - Share a file securely from your computer without waiting to upload it. First select the folder from which you would like to share files. Opera Unite then generates a direct URL to that folder. By giving that link to your friends, you can share files without routing through a third-party Web service.
• Pure Web Server - Run entire Web sites from your local computer with the Opera Unite Web Server. After selecting the folder containing your Web site, you can share and host it from the given Opera Unite URL. Opera Unite will automatically recognize index files and create the Web site as you designed it. This sounds great for web development.
• Media Player - Rock out wherever you are by accessing your MP3s and playlists from any machine. After selecting the folder containing your playlist, use the Opera Unite direct link to play your tracks directly in any modern Web browser.
• Photo Sharing - Share your photos direct from your PC, without uploading them online. Once you select your photo folder, the photo-sharing service will create a thumbnail image gallery of your photos. Clicking the thumbnail will present the photo in its original resolution.
• The Lounge - The Lounge is a self-contained chat service running on your computer. Your friends can access the chat room via the direct link, which will not require them to sign into any service. Depending on your privacy settings, you need only provide the generated password to your service in order for people to log in to your chatroom.
• Fridge - Post a note on your friends virtual refrigerators. By sharing the direct link to your refrigerator, you and your friends, family or colleagues can exchange notes securely and privately in real time.

Opera Unite is available in a special version of the Opera 10 desktop browser from Opera Labs. Opera Unite services run directly in the browser.

This all sounds great from the usability and ease of obtaining information stand point but what about the security aspects? If we turn every browser in the world into a server, doesn't that just make us all that more vulnerable?

It's going to be interesting to see how secure the technology is once its been out in the wild for a while. For now, I'm not planning on widely using the technology until it at least hits beta and maybe even after that.

More information on Unite can be found at Opera.com.