Opera Unite is claimed to make serving data as simple and easy as browsing the Web. For consumers, it  gives greater control of private data and make it easy to share data with any modern Web browser equipped device.

For Web developers, Opera Unite services comply with the same open Web standards as Web sites today dramatically simplifying the complexity of authoring cutting-edge Web services and making creation of a full Web service as easy as (or difficult) as coding a Web page.

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

To trial it:
Download the Opera Unite build
Start Opera Unite, clicking the Opera Unite logo (lower left-hand browser corner.
Log in with your existing Opera ID
Opera Unite will prompt you to register an ID if you do not have one.
Now you can use the application
Access it  from the Opera Unite panel of the browser.
New services can be installed
Running a service gives you a direct Web address to the Opera Unite service on your device, eg http://notebook.jondoe.operaunite.com/photo_sharing/, where "notebook" is the name of the local device serving content, "jondoe" is your username, and "photo_sharing" is the Web service being accessed.
That link will allow others to access the same Web service from your computer through their Web browser.
You may also see which friends are using Unite services on your My Opera Unite home page.

Current Opera Unite services are:

• File Sharing: Securely share a file from your personal 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• The 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.

The six services represent the beginning of what is possible. Web developers can unleash their creativity to design unique Web services and, in doing so, unlock the full potential of Opera Unite.

"We are opening the full potential of the Web for everyone," said Jon von Tetzchner, CEO, Opera. "Technology moves in distinct cycles. PCs decentralised computing away from large mainframes. Opera Unite now decentralises and democratises 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."

An introduction to Opera Unite:
Opera Unite developer's primer
The Opera Unite service framework
Markuper service template library
Resources: "Getting started with Opera Unite" video
Future Ways of using Opera Unite
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