Integration of BitTorrent with Digital Home Devices under Way

WebKnowHow
Monday, October 23, 2006; 02:41 AM

BitTorrent, Inc., developers of the leading peer-assisted digital content delivery platform, announced it is collaborating with a number of global hardware manufacturers to promote BitTorrent-embedded consumer products. Given the growth of BitTorrent technology adoption around the world, consumer electronics manufacturers are recognizing the importance of integrating the BitTorrent platform into their products to ensure a fast and seamless download experience for their customers. ASUS, Planex and QNAP are among the first CE manufacturers to implement the BitTorrent download manager into their digital home devices.

In the U.S. alone, 30 million households will have an entertainment network by 2010, according to Parks Associates. “CE manufacturers are still searching for the Rosetta stone of the connected entertainment market,” said Harry Wang, research analyst with Parks. "To move beyond the early-adopter stage, CE manufacturers must ally with content and service providers, software developers and silicon designers to build elegance and usability into the product design and bring popular digital content to consumers' fingertips anywhere in the home." BitTorrent, known worldwide as the standard for high-quality digital content delivery, is being recognized as a key ingredient in the world of Internet-connected devices.

“BitTorrent technology is clearly going to be the default platform for downloading high-quality digital entertainment, which makes them a key partner for us and a key ingredient in our product roadmap,” said TenLong Deng, Associate VP, Wireless Device Business Unit of ASUS. “BitTorrent is an integral solution to connect the divide between popular content and our devices.”

ASUS, Planex and QNAP are the first to announce plans to embed BitTorrent’s download manager and client into their respective digital home products. Products include the industry’s latest and most innovative wireless routers, media servers and network attached storage (NAS) devices. With the growing amount of legitimate content being made available via BitTorrent, hardware that supports the BitTorrent protocol will make it simple for users to consume content even while away from their PC. For instance, a BitTorrent-based router will enable users to connect to the Internet, schedule and download files all without the need for a traditional PC to be used.

“We are thrilled to announce new CE devices enhanced with our technology, enabling consumers to enjoy a world of digital content even when they are away from their PCs,” said Ashwin Navin, president and co-founder of BitTorrent. “While already synonymous with efficient file delivery, BitTorrent is extending our reach beyond the PC and into a number of products and services to further strengthen the bridge between content and devices.”