The web server firmware opens up a ton of possibilities with CGI scripting. When booting up in AP mode, you can even connect the ESP8266 to another access point right from the your browser.

The Minnow Server can be used in secure or non-secure mode and automatically uses secure mode (TLS) when used with the ESP8266 IDE and SharkSSL. Using a TLS enabled web server in a device adds ...

Yup, a web server farm made from three of everyone’s favorite WiFi dongle, the humble ESP8266. Eldon’s server farm is currently serving web pages here , running on three ESP8266 boards.