Mozilla Weave sync service

Mozilla, developers of the popular Firefox web browser, have launched a new related service, Weave. Currently available only as a test version associated with the latest Firefox 3 beta, it should allow users to carry history and bookmarks from one computer to another, as well as share the information with select friends and family; users need only create a Weave account to download the add-on and get started. To prevent the natural threat of privacy invasion, Weave accounts are password-protected, and encrypted as a client sends or receives information.

Weave is unique in that it is both free and platform independent. Though similar in concept to the Sync service for Apple's .Mac, Weave does not have the former's $99 annual fee, and it will run on Windows and Linux systems as well as Macs. Mozilla also intends to open up the API for Weave in early 2008, which will allow developers to create other ways of sharing metadata, and users to exert more control over who sees their Weave material.

Mozilla's project is not entirely original; Google recently released Browser Sync, a plug-in for Firefox 2 which is also cross-platform. With the birth of Weave, though, users may have less incentive to turn to a third party.

By Electronista Staff