New subscription-only version of the BitTorrent client adds features like integrated virus protection, remote file transfer, and seamless format conversion for transfer to smartphones and gaming consoles.
uTorrent is taking its BitTorrent client experience to the next level with the introduction of a new subscription-only model that will offer subscribers an array of enhanced features.
uTorrent Plus is a premium version of the widely used BitTorrent client, and includes a number of interesting new features like virus protection, remote file transfer, and transcoding. The yearly subscription fee is a purported $25 per year.
The four main new features include:
- Virus Protection
- Integrated video playback
- Remote file transferring from your client to wherever you are in the world
- Seamless transcoding between video and audio formats for many devices, including smart phones, and game consoles
An early pre-Alpha version launches today, and though it’s currently still invite only, they’ve been kind enough to give me 500 free invites to dole out to my readers (use this PROMO LINK).
So what does it all look like? I’ve taken it for a test drive for the last week or so, and I have to say I’m impressed.
VIRUS PROTECTION
I don’t “patronize” public BitTorrent tracker sites so virus protection has never really been a big concern of mine. But, I hear repeatedly from – shall I say – “less tech savvy” BitTorrent-using friends of mine, and all seem to cite The Pirate Bay and Demonoid as their go-to sites for content.
You can turn the anti-virus option on and off as you see fit, and will auto-update if you so choose.
REMOTE FILE TRANSFER
Now you can stream or transfer files from your home PC to anywhere else in the world.
TRANSCODING
Though long been a mainstay of the Vuze BitTorrent client, uTorrent has never allowed users to convert and transfer content to portable devices and gaming consoles. For those that download content and want to watch it on the go, uTorrent Plus takes some of the headache out of the process. All you have to do is connect your device and then drag and drop what it is that you want transcoded and transferred.
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All in all I like uTorrent Plus and the idea of offering premium options for a fee. The only question is will it divurge too much from its ubiquitous low memory footpritn that has always made it so popular.
Stay tuned.
PROMO LINK FOR FREE YEAR-LONG SUBSCRIPTION
I've been interested in P2P since the early, high-flying days of Napster and KaZaA. I believe that analog copyright laws are ill-suited to the digital age, and that art and culture shouldn't be subject to the whims of international entertainment industry conglomerates. Twitter | Google Plus
