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bittorrent posts

FCC to propose new net neutrality rules disallowing data discrimination

by Darren Murph posted Sep 18th 2009 @ 4:42PM

Based on what we're hearing, a slate of soon-to-be-proposed FCC rules may stop the likes of Comcast from discriminating against P2P applications on their networks, and AT&T sure will have a tougher time justifying why it won't let the iPhone's version of SlingPlayer run on 3G while giving WinMo and BlackBerry users all the bandwidth they can handle. Julius Genachowski, the new chairman of the entity, is slated to discuss the new rules on Monday, though he isn't expected to dig too deep into the minutiae. Essentially, the guidelines will "prevent wireless companies from blocking internet applications and prevent them from discriminating (or acting as gatekeepers) [against] web content and services." We know what you're thinking: "Huzzah!" And in general, that's probably the right reaction to have as a consumer, but one has to wonder how network quality for all will be affected if everyone is cut loose to, well, cut loose. Oh, and if this forces telecoms to deploy more cell sites to handle the influx in traffic, you can rest assured that the bill will be passed on to you. Ain't nuthin' free, kids.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Apple rejects Bittorrent control app from App Store because it might be used to infringe copyrights

by Nilay Patel posted May 11th 2009 @ 12:03PM

Sigh. Just as we thought Apple's ridiculous App Store approval process was about to get better with the advent of parental controls in iPhone OS 3.0, it goes and pulls another boneheaded move that makes us wonder if the entire system isn't hopelessly broken forever. This time the company's rejected Maza's Drivetrain, an app that allows users to remotely control the Transmission Bittorrent app, because "this category of applications is often used for the purpose of infringing third party rights." Right, "this category of applications," apparently meaning any app that has anything to do with Bittorrent at all -- Drivetrain doesn't actually upload or download anything, it's just used to manage Transmission running on your desktop. That's an awfully paranoid and restrictive stance towards one of the most popular file-transfer protocols around, especially since there are millions of legit torrents available, but somehow we're just not surprised -- this type of foolish, petty, and capricious behavior from Apple has sadly become par for the course with the App Store.

[Via iLounge]

Web-based BitTorrent control for your mobile phone

by Joshua Topolsky posted Jul 28th 2007 @ 4:27PM

Some people are on the move a lot, so much that they can't even take the time to start a BitTorrent download. Luckily, a solution to their problem has arrived - and it's called µTorrent mUI. µTorrent mUI is an open source, WebUI client that monitors a home session of the popular PC app, µTorrent, and allows you to look in on how current downloads are coming along, or stop and start torrents. All you need to begin feverishly checking up on your "movies" is a phone with a browser, such as Opera, and the compulsive need to keep tabs on your files.

Update: "Thanks" to the commenters who were a bit quicker than us on realizing we'd misrepresented µTorrent mUI's purpose. You guys are quick!

[Thanks, Ken]