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Opera unveils Unite, adds server functionality to browser

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On June 16, 2009, 1:39 PM

The folks over at Opera have taken the wraps off a new experimental project called Opera Unite, which turns any computer into both a client and a server, allowing users to share content with others over the Internet. Components of the browser-based service include file sharing, photo sharing, a notes exchange system, a shared media player, a chat lounge and the ability to run websites hosted on the user's PC.

None of it is actually new, but by bundling all these features on an easily-managed server within the browser, Opera hopes to make sharing data as simple and easy as surfing the web so that anyone can partake in it. Users control exactly what they want to share and set access as public, private or a password-protected hybrid. While those hosting the content need to be running Opera, people viewing it can do so from within any modern browser, including Internet Explorer or Firefox.

The six initial services represent the beginning of what is possible, according to Opera, which is encouraging developers to create new functionality based on Unite. The effort is quite innovative but with Opera’s tiny browser market share it probably won’t “reinvent the web” as they claim; or perhaps the concept will have a bigger impact if implemented by rival browsers. In any case, an alpha version of Unite can be downloaded from the Opera Labs website if you want to test out the new feature, and a demo video is available after the jump.



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  1. June 16, 2009 11:30 PM
    skitzo_zac
    skitzo_zac, TechSpot Chancellor, said:

    I have downloaded the Opera 10 Unite build, haven't found the time to mess around with the Unite stuff yet though.

    Reply
  2. June 17, 2009 2:51 AM
    Jibberish18 said:

    Sort of sad, but no matter how innovative Opera is, it'll probably never gain much traction in the web browser world. Firefox and it's add-ons seem to rule all.

    Reply
  3. June 17, 2009 4:27 AM
    jtickner1
    jtickner1, TechSpot Chancellor, said:

    No not really sad. Opera rules mobile browsing and they must be doing something right if they have a dedicated user-base and companies like Nintendo are paying for their browser.

    Reply
  4. June 18, 2009 12:29 PM
    mattfrompa
    mattfrompa said:

    This is what Opera should be doing to gain popularity INSTEAD of complaining about IE in Windows...

    Reply

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