Have you ever wished you could share a computer screen with someone else, not just to watch, but to actually use it together? Imagine browsing the web, playing a game, or working on a project with a friend, all on the same virtual machine. This isn't science fiction anymore.

A team of developers created something called Hyperbeam, and it's changing how we think about sharing online experiences. They wanted to solve a big problem: making it easy for people to use third-party apps and websites together, even when those apps weren't built for sharing.

What is Hyperbeam?

Hyperbeam is a technology that allows multiple people to connect to and control a single virtual computer. Think of it like having a shared computer that everyone can access and use at the same time. This means you can invite friends or colleagues to join you on a virtual machine where you can run any application or website.

The core idea is to make embedding and using online services much smoother. Many websites and apps are difficult to share because they have different technical requirements, security worries, or just aren't designed for more than one person. Hyperbeam aims to fix these issues by creating a unified, shared digital space.

How

Does it Work?

The magic behind Hyperbeam happens on powerful servers. When you use Hyperbeam, a special version of the Chromium web browser is set up inside a virtual machine. This virtual computer is then streamed to all the users who have joined.

This streaming happens using a technology called WebRTC, which is good for real-time communication. Because the main computer is running on a server, multiple people can control it at once. For the people using it, their own computer just needs to be able to show a video stream and send back controls.

This setup means that even complex applications or websites can be shared without everyone needing to install special software or worry about their computer's power. The heavy lifting is done by the Hyperbeam servers.

Solving the Embedding Nightmare

Embedding content from one website into another can be really tricky. Developers often run into problems with different platforms not working together, security risks, or a bad user experience. Adding a multiplayer aspect to these embeds makes everything even harder.

Hyperbeam tackles this by creating a virtual computer that can run almost anything. This virtual computer can then be embedded into other applications. Because it's a full computer environment, it's more likely to work with a wider range of software and websites.

The multiplayer feature means that when you embed this shared virtual computer, everyone using it sees the same thing and can interact with it together. This opens up possibilities for collaborative tools, shared entertainment, and more.

The Three.js Demo

To show off what's possible, the creators built a cool demo using Three.js. This is a popular JavaScript library for creating 3D graphics and animations in a web browser. The demo lets users play around with the multiplayer virtual computer concept in a 3D environment.

This interactive sandbox lets you experience firsthand how multiple users can interact within a shared virtual space. It’s a great way to get a feel for the technology without needing to integrate it into your own project.

We decided to build this because we noticed that embedding third-party apps and websites can be a nightmare due to incompatible platforms, security issues, and poor UX.

This quote from the creators highlights the main problem they set out to solve. They saw a real need for a better way to share and collaborate online.

Getting Started with Hyperbeam

If you're a developer and want to add this shared virtual computer experience to your own app, you can. Hyperbeam offers an API that lets you do just that. You can sign up on their website to get a free API key.

Once you have the key, you can use a provided embed URL. This URL can be placed in an iframe within your own application. This makes it relatively simple to bring the power of shared virtual computers to your users.

The documentation is also available, which can help you understand all the features and how to best use them. There's even a Discord community where you can ask questions and get support from the creators and other users.

Potential

Uses and Future

The possibilities with Hyperbeam seem vast. Imagine using it for:

• Collaborative work sessions: Multiple people working on the same document or design in real-time.

• Shared entertainment: Playing multiplayer games that might be hard to set up otherwise, or watching videos together.

• Remote assistance: Helping someone troubleshoot a computer problem by taking direct control.

• Educational tools: Creating interactive learning environments where students can explore software together.

The technology is still developing, but the foundation is strong. By creating a reliable way to share virtual computers, Hyperbeam paves the way for new kinds of online interaction and collaboration. It's a step towards a more connected and shareable digital world.

The idea of a shared digital space where people can interact with applications and websites together is powerful. Hyperbeam is making this idea a reality, one virtual computer at a time. It’s a fascinating development in how we use and share technology online.