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BitTorrent Embraces Streaming Torrents, Takes uTorrent Web Out of Beta (betanews.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the changing-with-the-times dept.

Mark Wilson shares a report from BetaNews: Acknowledging that we are now very much in the streaming age, BitTorrent has launched the first version of Torrent Web. The aim of the browser-based tool is to make torrenting as simple as possible and -- most importantly -- support torrent streaming. It remains to be seen how many people are willing to switch from a dedicated app to a browser-based torrenting experience, but the promise that you can "play while you download, no more staring at progress bars" is certainly alluring. Files are streamable near-instantly as they download, but they are also saved locally in the way you're used to. uTorrent Web is available for Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge and Opera and the release finds BitTorrent partnering with Adaware to check torrents for signs of malware, and even download torrents without having to visit websites. Warning: the installer includes (optional) bundleware in the form of Adaware Internet Security and the Opera web browser.

7 of 46 comments (clear)

  1. Beware...isn't open source by 110010001000 · · Score: 2

    It isn't open source. God knows what it is installing in your desktop and/or browser.

  2. Linux & Blob by markdavis · · Score: 3, Informative

    I am not interested in this software, but:

    "Warning: the installer includes (optional) bundleware in the form of Adaware Internet Security and the Opera web browser."

    "You can download the Windows app right now, and BitTorrent promises that a Mac version is in the works."

    So it is a mystery binary blob, which is scary enough with something like this, but it is also not available for Linux. Good thing I didn't have any interest in the first place :)

    1. Re:Linux & Blob by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Haven't heard of "uTorrent Web", but the protocol "TorrentWeb" (no micro/u, and no space) is completely browser based via javascript.

      I guess it depends on the usage, but I know of one content producer that hosts their own videos that you can stream from a website with a more familiar youtube-like interface.
      (The web software is called PeerTube if you're interested)

      Though technically the viewers can aid in the torrent swarm, and probably most helpful there right after a new vid goes up, but for the most part they are the only seeds.

      One annoying downside is existing torrent clients can't use the torrentweb protocol directly.
      So no helping to seed with your usual seedbox, at least until they get updated to support it.

      uTorrent proper has been a bloated sketchy client for some time now and I think everyone's moved on to other clients by now. uTorrent Web will likely be a still birth.
      People running the heart of things behind the scene still prefer command line clients or more automated with less gui clients.

      For video streaming, the main hosting site tends to have a built in player anyway so beyond seeding long term I'm not sure windows users will need much in the way of a dedicated out-of-browser client.

  3. I see what you did there! by Mr0bvious · · Score: 4, Funny

    BitTorrent is partnering with Adaware to avoid being flagged as malware.

    FTFY.

    --
    Never happened. True story.
  4. Is this an implementation of WebTorrent? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    There is a torrent extension that works in browser and uses WebRTC for peer connections. Disappointing summary/article/video all lacking any technical detail. Whether compatible or not, this at least deserves a mention.

  5. BEWARE OF AdaAware by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

    "Warning: the installer includes (optional) bundleware in the form of Adaware Internet Security and the Opera web browser."

    Beware of AdAware. LavaSoft used to be very reputable but they sold out: "The company was acquired in January 2011, as Lavasoft, by the Solaria Fund, a private equity fund front for Daniel Assouline and Michael Dadoun, key people of UpClick and Interactive Brands. SC Magazine reported that Lavasoft had been acquired by the same entrepreneurs who have been accused of selling software that is available for free to unwitting users under the guise of premium support, including the free version of Lavasoft's security program prior to acquiring the company itself[citation needed]. Security consultant Dancho Danchev has documented this controversy. Additionally, Danchev has reported in 2013 that Lavasoft was used to hide hard-to-uninstall programs into third-party software to trick the users in installing them, like in the K-Lite Codec Pack, and the Lavasoft Web Companion changed your browser without given permission. Although the company shields itself behind the complete legality of bundled software and claims that their software is only used to fight malware, there are users who have branded their products as malware." http://ddanchev.blogspot.com/2008/03/cybersquatting-security-vendors-for.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lavasoft https://www.theguardian.com/media/2006/feb/23/newmedia.technology

    Opera silently added an option ENABLED BY DEFAULT that consents to it reporting 'trending websites back to Opera'. What exactly that means is not made clear but read the fine print. "The information we collect may include: personal data, for example your name, email, IP-address, location; and non-personal technical data, for example who manufactured your device, your screen's resolution, your mobile operator's region and code. A complete list of the data we collect and purpose of collection may vary between our products and services. You can find detailed descriptions in the product/service-related sections below. We may share your data: To government bodies and law enforcement agencies to comply with the law, for example in judicial proceedings, by court order or other legal process To third parties (including professional advisors) to enforce or defend our legal rights, including our terms and conditions To a third-party purchaser or seller (including professional advisors) in connection with a corporate event such as a merger, business acquisition or insolvency situation As described elsewhere in this statement".

  6. Re: more piracy by TimMD909 · · Score: 3, Funny

    I was gonna guess porn. I'd offer a citation, but I know I'd get distracted while researching the material.