Opera Add-ons

Increased focus on Opera extensions and ending support for Unite applications and Widgets

By Arnstein Teigenespirobind. Tuesday, April 24, 2012 3:01:03 PM

Today we are announcing the beginning of the end for two of our current Add-on platforms. Starting with the upcoming Opera 12 release, Opera Unite and Opera Widgets will be turned off by default for new users. The two Add-on platforms will be completely removed in a later release expected before the end of this year.

Over the last six years we have learned a lot from our work on Opera Widgets and Opera Unite, and when we later built the extension platform for Opera 11 we benefited significantly from this experience. Our extension technology has been a great success, with millions of monthly downloads, and so far completely dwarfing the other platforms. Recently, Opera also shipped a labs version with extension support in Opera Mobile, investigating a fully cross-platform extension environment.

Moving forward we want to focus on one high quality Add-on platform across our products, rather than spending resources on maintaining legacy systems. The know how and and technologies from Unite and Widgets are already being reused in other Opera products. An example is the recently announced UPnP support in Opera Dragonfly.

To provide your feedback about use cases for Opera Unite or Opera Widgets you want to transfer other Opera products, please visit to our forum.

If you are a Widget developer you might be interested in how to convert Widgets to extensions.

Catalog update!Jazz up Opera

Comments

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jhilla # Tuesday, June 19, 2012 2:32:46 PM

Now "320" have voiced concern, will you help Preserve Opera? http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/openoperaunited/
Use Internet Keyword: OpenOperaUnited

Marco Floresvinigris # Wednesday, June 20, 2012 4:04:49 AM

¡Es una locura y una injusticia desaparecer opera unite! Es quitarle una extraordinaria prestación a un navegador distintivo...

<<<It's madness and injustice disappear operates unite! You take an extraordinary benefit to a distinctive browser ...>>>

Exvander # Wednesday, June 20, 2012 9:03:06 AM

K guys, one solution. boycott opera till they set back unite. tell everybody to do so and on every platform, and u'll see: or opera software will drop opera developement, turning in just an ad business and they lose, or they accept to keep unite alive and we win... dpnt let them the choice, attack first

Gustavo Ariel Molinaregrabables # Wednesday, June 20, 2012 6:09:53 PM

As decisions of this magnitude, Opera never stepped back. So we can forget to return all of those features.

vyck # Thursday, June 21, 2012 5:49:00 AM

Originally posted by regrabables:

As decisions of this magnitude, Opera never stepped back. So we can forget to return all of those features.

That it is not entirely true, a year ago Opera they have tried once to abandon "voice" and thay stepped back.
Opera! do you listen?

Gustavo Ariel Molinaregrabables # Thursday, June 21, 2012 11:53:10 AM

Originally posted by vyck:

Originally posted by regrabables:
As decisions of this magnitude, Opera never stepped back. So we can forget to return all of those features.
That it is not entirely true, a year ago Opera they have tried once to abandon "voice" and thay stepped back. Opera! do you listen?

Yes, but not the same trying to do something, do something. When I say that Opera does not take a step back, I mean what Opera has already implemented.

david7gagnon # Thursday, June 21, 2012 7:30:41 PM

I never really saw the point with Widgets in the first place. There are so many other places to get them from, especially if you are a Windows 7 user.

Opera Unite on the other hand was a brilliant solution to an often daunting problem. Since my personal choice for using Opera is due to it's portability, I'd actually prefer if Unite were a separate application/product from the Opera bowser itself. This way I could leave use Opera on my portable USB drive and easily connect to Unite running on my home PC to grab any files I need while out and about.

I think this sums it up...

Originally posted by kuzzzma:

Not Unite! It was the most easy way to share files and photos with friends and collegues!

MossMan # Thursday, June 21, 2012 9:56:37 PM

Originally posted by david7gagnon:

I never really saw the point with Widgets in the first place. There are so many other places to get them from, especially if you are a Windows 7 user.

To be fair, widgets were pretty much introduced by Opera back in 2006...

... but I agree that even then I couldn't really see the point.

Christopher Jalbertcjalbert # Saturday, June 23, 2012 2:39:45 PM

I am very disappointed with this decision. I promoted Unite to lots of people and got them using Opera when they never even heard of it before.

Unite was the one feature that distinguished Opera from other browsers for me and without it, it probably won't be used much any more on my computer.

This ruined my day

Rafael Luikrafaelluik # Saturday, June 23, 2012 3:25:48 PM

People, the most popular Unite app (access the page where you can see it) is being run on approximately 1500 computers right now. Let's suppose the double or triple of that number is the number of actual users, it'd be still 0.0075% of the approximately total of 60 million Opera users...

Now I've made the count I think I understand why Opera is discontinuing it.

As for the people looking for alternatives, I heard about a software called Tonido, it's free you could try it.

Gustavo Ariel Molinaregrabables # Saturday, June 23, 2012 3:51:51 PM

Originally posted by cjalbert:

I am very disappointed with this decision. I promoted Unite to lots of people and got them using Opera when they never even heard of it before.

Unite was the one feature that distinguished Opera from other browsers for me and without it, it probably won't be used much any more on my computer.

This ruined my day

Originally posted by rafaelluik:

People, the http://unite.opera.com/application/132/]most popular Unite app (access the page where you can see it) is being run on approximately 1500 computers right now. Let's suppose the double or triple of that number is the number of actual users, it'd be still 0.0075% of the approximately total of 60 million Opera users...

Now I've made the count I think I understand why Opera is discontinuing it.

As for the people looking for alternatives, I heard about a software called http://www.tonido.com/]Tonido[/URL], it's free you could try it.

UNITE is Opera, so the airbag is the car.

Daniel Szemetiszemeti # Saturday, June 23, 2012 3:57:14 PM

why don't opera just make widgets AND extensions run????!!!! and unite!!!!
let's just stage a protest or something!

My ninjas will assassinate all opera operatives lol

toytherock # Saturday, June 23, 2012 8:15:29 PM

@Gustavo, i've been using Tonido.com for the about a month now and so far so good.

juan gilaljund # Saturday, June 23, 2012 10:46:03 PM

so tonido + chrome...never thought it would happen bye opera ill miss you

Gustavo Ariel Molinaregrabables # Saturday, June 23, 2012 11:17:22 PM

Originally posted by toytherock:

@Gustavo, i've been using Tonido.com for the about a month now and so far so good.

Yes, I have also Tonido, but not the same as Unite, Unite is by far easier to use, and gave added value to Opera.

The thing was to have all in one, fully compatible with Opera and MyOpera accounts. But now, none of that.

onsen-00 # Sunday, June 24, 2012 3:40:19 PM

Tonido, ehh?
http://www.tonido.com/help/Index.htm?context=60

"We don't have a Tonido package for 64 bit yet. Meanwhile, you might want to try this:"

No, I really don't want.

juan gilaljund # Sunday, June 24, 2012 6:57:22 PM

Originally posted by onsen-00:

Tonido, ehh?
http://www.tonido.com/help/Index.htm?context=60

"We don't have a Tonido package for 64 bit yet. Meanwhile, you might want to try this:"

No, I really don't want.

yeah saw the same thing but since there are no other options....

toytherock # Monday, June 25, 2012 2:31:26 PM

I'm running windows 7 64bit using tonido with no problem.

onsen-00 # Monday, June 25, 2012 10:03:00 PM

Good for you.
I won't use windows. Ever.

Rafael Luikrafaelluik # Monday, June 25, 2012 10:39:53 PM

Originally posted by regrabables:

Originally posted by rafaelluik:
People, the most popular Unite app (access the page where you can see it) is being run on approximately 1500 computers right now. Let's suppose the double or triple of that number is the number of actual users, it'd be still 0.0075% of the approximately total of 60 million Opera users...Now I've made the count I think I understand why Opera is discontinuing it. As for the people looking for alternatives, I heard about a software called Tonido, it's free you could try it.
UNITE is Opera, so the airbag is the car.

Yes but think it that way: it's an airbag that needs constant maintenance, security improvements and servers running...

Gustavo Ariel Molinaregrabables # Tuesday, June 26, 2012 3:06:49 AM

Originally posted by rafaelluik:

Originally posted by regrabables:
Originally posted by rafaelluik:
People, the most popular Unite app (access the page where you can see it) is being run on approximately 1500 computers right now. Let's suppose the double or triple of that number is the number of actual users, it'd be still 0.0075% of the approximately total of 60 million Opera users...Now I've made the count I think I understand why Opera is discontinuing it. As for the people looking for alternatives, I heard about a software called Tonido, it's free you could try it.
UNITE is Opera, so the airbag is the car.
Yes but think it that way: it's an airbag that needs constant maintenance, security improvements and servers running...

The point of my statement is that, today it is inconceivable that the automakers would remove the airbag, claiming the little use. UNITE is analogous to this.

Scott Duensingsduensin # Tuesday, June 26, 2012 4:24:03 AM

I've been working on a proof-of-concept for running unmodified Unite apps without Opera. So far, it's promising. There's no web site or anything for my work, but if you're interested, please drop by my IRC channel at http://mibbit.com/?channel=%23JaegerTech&server=irc.mibbit.net to talk about it.

FransFrenzie # Tuesday, June 26, 2012 8:52:19 AM

Originally posted by Gustavo Ariel Molina:

The point of my statement is that, today it is inconceivable that the automakers would remove the airbag, claiming the little use. UNITE is analogous to this.

I don't think it's inconceivable that some car makers would offer cheaper, airbagless cars if they weren't legally required to put them in.

juan gilaljund # Tuesday, June 26, 2012 2:31:48 PM

The point of my statement is that, today it is inconceivable that the automakers would remove the airbag, claiming the little use. UNITE is analogous to this. @gustavo

YOU SIR ARE CORRECT!!!

toytherock # Tuesday, June 26, 2012 9:25:13 PM

good for you too hahaha

Originally posted by onsen-00:

Good for you.
I won't use windows. Ever.

Gustavo Ariel Molinaregrabables # Tuesday, June 26, 2012 11:40:15 PM

Originally posted by Frenzie:

I don't think it's inconceivable that some car makers would offer cheaper, airbagless cars if they weren't legally required to put them in.

You have not understood. There is a huge difference between providing the vehicle with airbag always arguing and suddenly remove non-use, and also taking away the ability to choose the model with airbahg. In a country like Norway, is inconceivable.
It's just an analogy to show the terrible decision made by Opera.

Rafael Luikrafaelluik # Wednesday, June 27, 2012 2:57:45 AM

I think this metaphor isn't working! haha
You're saying Unite is the airbag but perhaps it's a baby car seat? You may have it included but you can also buy one separated (Tonido).

Metaphors are complicated because they are built by the brain to represent its own purposes. So they fit to the situation the way the person wants. I could change the object easily. We should go more straight to the point...

It isn't profitable to assign resources to maintain Unite working (its quality = integrity and security) when they could be invested in something else, I think that's what Opera is trying to say (me at least).

onsen-00 # Wednesday, June 27, 2012 12:24:04 PM

Well... in hindsight....
Now I understand what people were complaining about with Opera not being open source.

Ronald G Stokesstokesrg # Saturday, June 30, 2012 3:31:40 PM

Bad Decision in my opinion.
I've stopped using Opera, and I'm removing the browser from all of my computers! I will also delete my e-mail account.
OH WELL,

Gustavo Ariel Molinaregrabables # Saturday, June 30, 2012 4:53:48 PM

They have destroyed the browser, and to make matters worse, this latest version came out with so many flaws that looks like a pre-alpha version.

Urgent need a regression.

icare # Saturday, June 30, 2012 4:57:21 PM

Opera has always been the Browser for innovations.
If you want a "light" browser, use Firefox. (Or, as I suggested in another thread, create a light version of Opera alongside the Opera internet suite).
I doesn't matter how much people use Unite. The one who use it need it, even if we use it only 1hour a month. The messages here and on the forum are clear enough.
Plus, Opera Unite is functional, there's no reason to dump something that works perfectly (well perfectly to me, anyway).
I don't use the blogs, the pictures on myopera. But if the staff decided to close every blogs just because they don't have enough time to moderate them, I would join my voice to the protesters.

Sorry for my english, I hope I'm clear enough.

Rafael Luikrafaelluik # Saturday, June 30, 2012 5:53:35 PM

In my usage, I haven't experienced any problems with 12.00 yet.

juan gilaljund # Sunday, July 1, 2012 4:21:02 PM

indeed opera 12 has showed some bugs, crashes and slows downs. might all say that the opera we knew has died

QuHno # Tuesday, July 3, 2012 8:10:12 AM

Originally posted by icare:

(Or, as I suggested in another thread, create a light version of Opera alongside the Opera internet suite).

Light meaning 700k or 1 MB lighter in total by removing everything that doesn't belong to the browser itself?
Not worth the effort.
Just don't use what you don't want to use and it doesn't even get loaded to memory (at least it was so the last time I looked some time ago).

Instances running means "running now" imho. I start Unite only when I need it for an hour or so and then I stop it, so the counts could be just a fraction of installs that are really in use.

Removing every locale but one instead could make Opera 3 MB lighter. I am sure that some of them are used by as few users as Unite was used

ardanew # Tuesday, July 3, 2012 10:13:15 AM

IMO that must be:
Unite icon in the status bar stays, but on click will download and install Unite plugin. Like an old voice-support icon.

icare # Tuesday, July 3, 2012 5:09:24 PM

Originally posted by QuHno:

Originally posted by icare:
(Or, as I suggested in another thread, create a light version of Opera alongside the Opera internet suite).
Light meaning 700k or 1 MB lighter in total by removing everything that doesn't belong to the browser itself? Not worth the effort.

It's not really a matter of size, Opera's size is already lighter than every other browsers (If it hasn't change recently).
My idea was more : make 2 browsers, like mozilla did with Mozilla Suite on one hand and Firefox on the other hand.
1 team per browser.
The team of Opera Suite would focus on making innovations, new features and fixing the bugs of the numerous tools of Opera.
The team of Opera Light would focus on the HTML, Javascript, speed, stability and all this.

And of course the work of one team would profit to the other, sometimes.

And the customers would have the choice between an Opera not very innovative but easy-to-use and reliable, or an Opera maybe a little more difficult but with a lot of functionalities.

Gustavo Ariel Molinaregrabables # Wednesday, July 4, 2012 3:16:08 AM

Originally posted by icare:

Originally posted by QuHno:
Originally posted by icare:
(Or, as I suggested in another thread, create a light version of Opera alongside the Opera internet suite).

Light meaning 700k or 1 MB lighter in total by removing everything that doesn't belong to the browser itself?
Not worth the effort.

It's not really a matter of size, Opera's size is already lighter than every other browsers (If it hasn't change recently).

My idea was more : make 2 browsers, like mozilla did with Mozilla Suite on one hand and Firefox on the other hand.

1 team per browser.

The team of Opera Suite would focus on making innovations, new features and fixing the bugs of the numerous tools of Opera.

The team of Opera Light would focus on the HTML, Javascript, speed, stability and all this.

And of course the work of one team would profit to the other, sometimes.

And the customers would have the choice between an Opera not very innovative but easy-to-use and reliable, or an Opera maybe a little more difficult but with a lot of functionalities.

Dream...

Gaston Martinihgmartini # Saturday, July 7, 2012 12:15:24 AM

Originally posted by regrabables:

... this latest version came out with so many flaws that looks like a pre-alpha version.

I have to say I've been using 12 in Linux and Windows, and haven't found any serious flaws. It feels faster and as stable as 11.x.

So far my only complaint about 12 is Opera killing Unite.

Avetisyan NarekNarekatOpera # Monday, July 9, 2012 5:14:32 PM

Just keep in some shape or form the Web Server of the Opera Unite plz. I just Love that feature of Opera it's so amazingly easy just to host a website on your own PC. If you must keep something please keep this.
Thanks alot.
Cheers

Gustavo Ariel Molinaregrabables # Tuesday, July 10, 2012 1:45:02 AM

Originally posted by hgmartini:

Originally posted by regrabables:
... this latest version came out with so many flaws that looks like a pre-alpha version.

I have to say I've been using 12 in Linux and Windows, and haven't found any serious flaws. It feels faster and as stable as 11.x.

So far my only complaint about 12 is Opera killing Unite.

That you have that experience does not mean that Opera 12 will not have problems. My experience is contrary to yours. And by far is the version with more failures.

Alvaro Ezequiel CeballosCynos2009 # Wednesday, July 11, 2012 3:39:44 AM

Recently I found out about this, because I didn't use my desktop PC with Opera (I used a netbook).

Im my opinion, this decision is very, very, very wrong.

Ask and i may tell anonyy # Wednesday, July 11, 2012 1:04:28 PM

OH GREAT.. NOW I CANT USE FILE SHARE THE EASIEST way i could share pics, now i have to go back to UPLOADING which takes ages for large files.

FransFrenzie # Wednesday, July 11, 2012 2:20:13 PM

Originally posted by Ask and i may tell :

OH GREAT.. NOW I CANT USE FILE SHARE THE EASIEST way i could share pics, now i have to go back to UPLOADING which takes ages for large files.

Opera 12 hasn't removed it yet. You just need to enable it in opera:config.

Gustavo Ariel Molinaregrabables # Thursday, July 12, 2012 1:18:13 AM

Originally posted by Frenzie:

Originally posted by Ask and i may tell :
OH GREAT.. NOW I CANT USE FILE SHARE THE EASIEST way i could share pics, now i have to go back to UPLOADING which takes ages for large files.

Opera 12 hasn't removed it yet. You just need to enable it in opera:config.

Yes, but until the end of the year when the servers shut down Opera UNITE. And in my case, I failed to get it working again UNITE. I am now using Tonido, which so far has given me excellent results. But... is not the same...

assignmentman # Saturday, July 14, 2012 8:18:44 AM

There is a fix for this. www.owncloud.org

It's a program that does what Unite did.

OwnCloud -be your own cloud again:yes:

QuHno # Saturday, July 14, 2012 9:46:06 AM

Originally posted by assignmentman:

It's a program that does what Unite did.

No, it doesn't.

Unrealmirakulix # Sunday, July 15, 2012 11:18:47 AM

Originally posted by assignmentman:

There is a fix for this. www.owncloud.org

It's a program that does what Unite did.

OwnCloud -be your own cloud again:yes:

You're right QuHno. Even this cloud application sounds really useful and handy, the way it works is the opposite of Opera Unite

Nahuel Sanchezprofyeow # Sunday, July 15, 2012 6:51:57 PM

PLEASEEEE!!!! DON'T KILL OPERA UNITE!!!
Is beautiful, powerful, useful, and a lot of other words ended with "-ful"

You don't know how many time save my ass have Opera Unite.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Why you don't do a big pull for ask if the users of Opera want or not, this great featured of Opera.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Gustavo Ariel Molinaregrabables # Monday, July 16, 2012 3:41:06 PM

Dream, in my experience with Opera, have never taken a step backwards in decisions like this.