We at CodeLathe are big proponents of empowering people and following that principle, we are happy to announce Tonido OpenID.

Tonido OpenID is a new Tonido application that allows you use your Tonido URL as an OpenID. If you don’t know it already, OpenID allows you to use an existing identity to sign in to multiple websites, without needing to create new passwords.

OpenID is rapidly gaining adoption on the web, with over one billion OpenID enabled user accounts and over 50,000 websites accepting OpenID for logins.  And several large organizations either issue or accept OpenIDs, including Google, Facebook, Yahoo!, Microsoft, AOL, MySpace, Sears, Universal Music Group, France Telecom, Novell, Sun, Telecom Italia, and many more (Source: OpenID.net).  Now joining those ranks is Tonido’s OpenID implementation.

Among existing OpenID providers out there, Tonido OpenID is unique in the sense that it is a truly a decentralized and private OpenID provider. What it means is that Tonido OpenID does not use any third party server to manage your identity.

You provide your own identity.

Now you can use your ID without any central authority knowing which websites you frequent or which blogs you comment upon etc. This can only be a GOOD THING.

Tonido OpenID allows you to:

Gain Greater Control Over Your Online Identity

OpenID is a portable identity that can be used everywhere without having to reveal personal details like your email address. This allows privacy and greater freedom without giving websites the ability to track and monitor your activities.

Accelerate Sign Up Process at Your Favorite Websites

Cut down on the laborious sign up process to use a website or service. Sign up quickly and painlessly using your OpenID.

Reduce Frustration Associated with Maintaining Multiple Usernames and Passwords

Using too many IDs on too many websites leads to problems remembering all those user names or passwords.  Tonido OpenID requires to remember only your URL and your Tonido Profile login password.

Minimize Password Security Risks

With too many passwords, it is likely that users will reuse the same password on multiple sites. If there is a security compromise on one, it can lead to vulnerabilities on other sites where the same password was used. Mitigate that by using a single strong password which cannot be compromised because of a security issue in one website.

Here are a few screens of Tonido OpenID in action:

Tonido OpenID is available now on Tonido Desktop (Windows, Linux, Mac) via the Apps->Install Tab. You might need to upgrade to the latest Tonido version.