The new tool will work in the browser, allow streaming

Apr 23, 2017 23:43 GMT  ·  By

uTorrent, one of the most popular BitTorrent clients out there, has plans to move to the web browser in the near future. 

According to TorrentFreak, who had a chat with Bram Cohen, the BitTorrent creator, the next revision of the app will make it run directly in the user's default browser.

The new uTorrent version will not only have this new capability but it will also bring on a new interface and a greatly improved streaming experience.

"We're also taking the opportunity here to actually clean up our client experience. So, from a product standpoint, the new revision of uTorrent is going to run in the user's default browser. That's just a nicer experience," Cohen said.

Moving the service to the browser makes room for widget usage, while a better streaming experience will also be integrated, thanks to new technology.

What this means is that uTorrent will allow users to stream torrents from their browsers, similarly to regular streaming sites.

Something old and something new

This new uTorrent will borrow some features from the defunct Maelstrom, BitTorrent's own browser project that was killed early on. While uTorrent will get some of its features, users will at least get away without installing any new software on their computers.

"The features behind it that people really want, being able to see torrents in the browser, we're basically going to be shipping with the new uTorrnet. It's going to be your browser, instead of a separate browser," Cohen added.

This being said, the company has some concerns regarding user experience. After using uTorrent as is for so many years, there are going to be a lot of people who won't happy with the way things turn out. Therefore, the new uTorrent is going to be in testing for a while, as the company gathers feedback, before rolling out the changes to everyone.