Yesterday, Opera announced a new feature for Opera10, called Opera Unite. You can read about this system at
http://unite.opera.com.
Essentially, with Opera 10, the browser will include a basic embedded web server. This server will allow users to share files and photos, post basic web sites (PHP and other dynamic content are not supported). In addition, developers can create applications that will allow users to connect their computers together in a wide variety of ways, from peer-to-peer messaging to remote file retrieval, and much more.
Note, most of the technology I have just mentioned is possible today through the installation of various software applications, although many of these ideas are considered a bad idea (running a web server is not allowed by most ISPs on home accounts, peer to peer instant messaging is a HUGE security and privacy risk, integrated web servers present an opportunity for DOS and DOR attacks that on traditional platforms are simply not possible, etc.).
One of the extension applications imagined by one of the developers (in a post here:
Taking the Web into our own hands, one computer at a time) is a shared Jukebox, where each connected user selects a playlist, and all of the playlists are combined and played back for all of the users. RIAA is probably writing the C&D letters now, and the application doesn't even exist.
Don't get me wrong - some of the features sound like good ideas to me, such as the ability to download files from your computer from anywhere through a secured network socket, and the ability to share bookmarks between every computer you use.
So, basically, I am posting this to get all of your thoughts on this technology. Do you think the availability of full scale, extensible peer-to-peer communication is worth the risk? Do you envision any great new uses for such a technology?