WebProNews

Tag: uTorrent

  • uTorrent Android App In The Works

    Android users may very well be seeding and leeching right from their mobile devices pretty soon. TorrentFreak is reporting that the uTorrent dev team is currently working on a uTorrent app for Android.

    uTorrent owners BitTorrent Inc. had little to say about the upcoming app – only that it’s in the works and they don’t have any more to say on a possible release date:

    “Like any software company, we know a mobile experience is really important to our users,” they said. “At this point, we don’t yet have an ETA.”

    Apparently, the app would be a full-fledged version of uTorrent – the most popular BitTorrent client in the world. According to the report, it would have all of the same functionality as the desktop version.

    This would be a full-functioning native app – the first of its kind as far as bittorrent clients go. The app would be different than the uTorrent Remote, which is currently available for download in the Android Market. That app allows you to connect to your desktop uTorrent client and control your torrents from your mobile device. You can use the app to search for torrents as well, but they will be added to your desktop uTorrent. You can even shift your completed downloads back to your device for playback. But all the work is being done on your desktop. The new uTorrent app would make this all possible on your Android phone or tablet.

  • The Pirate Bay Stops Hosting Torrent Files

    The Pirate Bay has announced that they will no longer offer torrent files for download on their site. Anti-piracy advocates should not get too excited, though: they are replacing the torrent files with Magnet links. This format is considerably more difficult to block than .torrent files, and the links require significantly less storage space, meaning that the entire Pirate Bay website could theoretically be hosted from a sufficiently-sized USB drive.

    The Pirate Bay has apparently been planning this change for a couple of years now, but the Magnet link technology wasn’t quite ready for prime time. As of today, Magnet links will be come the default format for downloading from the website, though users will still have access to .torrent links for some time yet.

    Most users will not see a difference, however, since the majority of torrent software supports Magnet links already. BitTorrent and uTorrent, the two biggest torrent clients, have had Magnet link support for some time. The only difference most users will see is a longer start-up time before downloads start.

    Concerns about bandwidth aside, part of The Pirate Bay’s motivation for this move has to come from the efforts that have been taken against them in the past. Repeated efforts to shut down or block the site have occurred all over the Western world. The fact that Magnet links are harder to block and require less bandwidth and hosting space will certainly make efforts to shut The Pirate Bay down more difficult.

    [Source: The Pirate Bay]

  • uTorrent Moves to Mobile Devices, Gaming Consoles

    For those of who enjoy the ease of bit torrents, you probably use the uTorrent client to help with the management of these files. Soon, you’ll have the ability to do so from your iPhone, your Android device, and your next-gen gaming console. You can have that ability now if you’d like to download the alpha version. As for uTorrent, when in doubt about the future of the technology you support, go big.

    Expand your horizons so even more people use your product.

    Clearly, that’s the thinking of the uTorrent developers and their multiple device support announcement. As indicated by TorrentFreak, the version of uTorrent that supports the multiple device platform is only in the alpha stage, but considering the efficiency with which uTorrent updates its client, don’t expect this feature to remain in the testing stages for long. According to the TorrentFreak report, the new version of uTorrent will allow bit torrent users to synch their downloads to the various devices they are using.

    This is an obvious use of multiple device support, and with via the updated uTorrent (version 3.1 — link goes to the 3.1 exe file), users will be able to drop and drag their downloads to whatever supported devices they choose. Apparently, file conversion for the various devices was included in the update, but TorrentFreak learned that’s an option that will be available for premium uTorrent members.

    Yes, uTorrent is launching a premium service, too, called uTorrent Plus:

    In addition, the latest alpha also shows the option to convert files into the appropriate formats supported by the various devices. However, TorrentFreak has learned that this tease was put in by mistake and that it will be removed in the next update.

    While the device integration will become part of the stable uTorrent release in a few months, conversion will only be available for people who upgrade to the premium uTorrent version, the upcoming uTorrent Plus.

    Is file conversion an important aspect uTorrent is leaving out, at least for the free version users? Or does the fact that uTorrent will soon support multiple platforms good enough for you to stay with them?

  • uTorrent 3.0 Beta Now Available

    uTorrent 3.0 Beta Now Available

    I <3 uTorrent.  I can say that with confidence now that “<3” is officially in the OED.  Rejoice,  fellow uTorrent lovers, as they have just released version 3.0 beta, and it has a bunch of promising new features.

    Over on the BitTorrent Blog, many of the new features are detailed.  First up is the most exciting new feature to me – streaming.  uTorrent users can now preview their downloads directly from the client.

    This serves two functions – helping the extremely impatient to begin watching or listening before their download is complete and also allowing users a sample before they fully commit to an entire download.  Stable and consistent previewing is one of the things that endeared this writer to Limewire in the beginning (R.I.P).

    uTorrent 3.0 beta is also looking to please torrent pros and novices alike, as new features are targeted to users of various degrees of familiarity.

    For the n00b:

    At any time, you may now minimize parts of the µT interface for a simplified view of the client. Not only does this assist new users by focusing attention on the most important client features, but it also allows anyone to cut out distractions to focus on the business of finding, getting and playing content.

    The new version also includes “getting started guides” that help new users with tips and tutorials.

    For the most experienced users, uTorrent is now offering a remote feature that allows you to access the client from another computer or mobile device.  The feature is already integrated into uTorrent’s Android app.  uTorrent 3.0 also adds portable mode which lets you run the client via USB.

    The new “Sending” feature also sounds neat:

    Easily send large files – for example home movies, large videos taken with your cell, and photos – to your friends directly from µTorrent. Select any file on your computer, drag it into the µTorrent “Drag files to send” box and µTorrent will create a Web link. Enter a friend’s email address or post the link to social media. Recipients can easily download the torrent, or if they don’t have µTorrent, download an app bundled with the file. Simple!

    Finally, version 3.0 beta adds a ratings and commenting function to the client.  Apparently this was one of the top requests from users.  Don’t get me wrong, comments and ratings can be useful – but I’m wary of comments and ratings when it comes to torrents.  Hopefully this feature doesn’t get too spammy or doesn’t annoy users with too many “Ughh…I cant get this to work..HELP” comments.

    Happy Sharing!