Opera Unite alpha platform released

[Andreas G]

Browser developer Opera posted a mysterious message at its website a few days ago, it said Opera as about to redefine our views and use of the Internet. With cryptic messages and graphics it looked liked some form of cloud computing or other method for users to share information. Opera has released the complete product now, and it's a browser function it calls Opera Unite. The technology will be a part of Opera 10 and, summarized, Unite will transform your computer to a web server for linking Internet users without any meddling third parties.

"Opera Unite is a unique technology that turns any computer or device running Opera into a Web server. In other words, your computer (running Opera Unite) is truly part of the fabric of the Web, rather than just interacting with it, and it’s something anyone can use. With Opera Unite, everyday non-technical users can serve and share content and services directly from their own computers in the form of intuitive applications."

The presentation of Opera Unite points to the fact that most of today's Internet functionality is handled by large servers, which makes us, the users, reliant on the security supplied by others for everything from social networking or perhaps file sharing.

Opera Unite is a platform that enables every single computer to become a server of its own and the functionalist is only limited to the imagination of software developers as Opera encourages developers to develop new and exciting features for the platform.

Opera has designed a number of Services and these can be installed and tied to Opera Unite like add-ons.

Below is a list of the services available today;

Media Player is used to access your music collection from any other computer over the Internet and turns the computer into a streaming music player. File Sharing lets you share files and information between computers, e.g. run it on your work computer and access it from home through your home computer, mobile phone or laptop while on foot.

Opera use big words to describe its new technology and we have to agree that there is a lot of potential here. Even if most of these functions can be accomplished with other applications we have never seen them gathered in one place. Although it's a bit like Windows Home Server or a good Linux home server.

We haven't had the time to test Opera Unite thoroughly yet but don't hesitate to share any experiences.

More information on Opera Unite can be found at Opera's website where you can also download an Alpha version of the platform.