Google Native Client.

Link: http://code.google.com/p/nativeclient/

>From the website:

Native Client is an open-source research technology for running x86 native code in web applications, with the goal of maintaining the browser neutrality, OS portability, and safety that people expect from web apps. We've released this project at an early, research stage to get feedback from the security and broader open-source communities. We believe that Native Client technology will someday help web developers to create richer and more dynamic browser-based applications.


My comments:

The ability to execute native codes aren't exactly new idea . Microsoft have attempt it with ActiveX Controller, Sun with Java and of course Macromedia with Shockwave.  However most attempt are bit futile in term of scalability , OS compatibility and also Web Browser compatibility.
(Java works well since it doesnt' talk to the machine directly but have it's own VM (so things like Memory Management , etcx3 are taken care well off).


So what exactly is exciting on running a native x86 codes on top of Web Browser?

we can play our favourite game in our web browser (no need to install anymore, we can babo or dota or  simply by having a web browser that support it).

The technology is still new by the way

Consequences?

Matasano Security had write up an excellent review from security perspective:

http://www.matasano.com/log/1674/the-security-implications-of-google-native-client