BitTorrent Adds Music, Video Streaming Options With Re-Launched BitTorrent Now

Dan Rys, reporting for Billboard:As streaming continues to consolidate its foothold as a major force in the music-listening community, more and more players are getting into the increasingly crowded space. Today, BitTorrent announced it is adding an ad-supported streaming option to its BitTorrent Bundle offerings, which is officially re-launching as BitTorrent Now. But before anyone thinks the company is throwing its hat into the ring alongside Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal (or even Netflix and Hulu), BitTorrent Now isn't designed as a full-catalog competitor. Rather, its streaming component will be part of the distribution framework established with BitTorrent Bundle in 2013, giving artists who use its direct-to-fan platform the option to allow fans to stream their releases rather than download them. BitTorrent Now is currently available as an app on Android devices, with iOS and Apple TV apps on the horizon "shortly," according to a rep.

Re:Only Pirates Welcome?

[110010001000]

BitTorrent isn't illegal (yet). Eventually it will be as will all "unapproved" Internet applications. That is the way the Internet is headed. Some day you will only be allowed to connect with "approved" devices and "approved" applications. Because terrorists and children ya know?

Re:

[110010001000]

It is only a matter of time. You must have missed the recent talk about adding support for login IDs to websites to National ID cards in the EU. That is the first step, to support it. Then the next step is to require it. Eventually you will need an approved device with approved applications.

Re: Only Pirates Welcome?

[Anonymous Coward]

You do realize the distinction between the foss BT protocol and the company right?

Plagues

[Anonymous Coward]

Ancient Egypt had locusts. USA has Baby Boomers. Is it too late to swap?

dec?

[Anonymous Coward]

Someone needs to explain Digital Equipment Corporation [wikipedia.org] to slashdot.

Re:

[boudie2]

Was living next door to a fellow 4-5 years ago who told me they were still using VAX computers where he worked (Michelin Tire in Nova Scotia) and there was no plan to replace them. Not exactly on topic, but what is here anyways. Streaming with bit torrent .... yawn ... sound of crickets.

Does it work with pirate bay?

[Quzak]

I don't see mention of any new encryption to prevent the media companies/law enforcement from detecting downloads.

Can we stop editors!

[DarkOx]

Guys the "digital" logo for this is totally off. I can see for the history of posts in this "topic" that its pretty much being used for all things electronic media. I don't know if the "digital" topic was co-opted from being discussions about DEC or not. If it was fine it clearly happened a long time ago. Can we stop using the DEC logo though? Its seriously confusing and kinda of a sad use of a symbol that was once associated with something actually important to the history of the computing industry

Re:

[UnknownSoldier]

Wow. I've been reading /. since the early 2000's and you're absolutely right. This just makes me go:

Holy shit, are the EDITORS == fucking CLUELESS.

Just use a proper 1's and 0's logos for a digital bitstream. Stop hijacking old company logo's -- you guys just look like a total idiot.

"digital" logo means Digital Equipment Corporation

[Anonymous Coward]

Okay, this is the second time I've felt compelled to post this. Maybe this time it will gain traction?

Why is this article tagged with the logo for Digital Equipment Corporation [wikipedia.org]? Using this logo for completely unrelated stories seems to be a trend lately on Slashdot.

Editors, PLEASE note that the "digital" logo applies to a specific company, and many of your readers have been around long enough to know that. Using the logo incorrectly suggests that the editors are not in touch with the topics we're interested in reading about.

RSS formating

[ThatsNotPudding]

Hey, what's changed in the RSS feeds? The summaries with indented quoted text now show up as:

Dan Rys, reporting for Billboard:As streaming

With a colon inserted and spaces removed. Maybe it's just my POS work IE 11.

Re:

[sexconker]

You really shouldn't be browsing the internet on point-of-sale systems. If you get hit by ransomware, you'll be locked out of the the cash drawer!!

Encrypted micro-sharding?

[scorp1us]

Does it feature encrypted micro-sharding so that I have the file but it didn't take up any space? So it's no where and everywhere?

Re:

[malditaenvidia]

Agreed, those scumbags have tried to bundle bitcoin miners unto utorrent before, along with all kinds of adware. They seem to be trying to make their new PoS client synonymous with the protocol as well. Most clients support downloading files in order, so they can effectively be watched or played while downloading. This is yet another slashvertisement and nothing else.