wpTorrent app brings BitTorrent downloads to Windows Phone 8
Despite being one of the main means of downloading pirated content and, therefore, a threat to Microsoft's profits (and that of many other big companies), the software giant just accepted a BitTorrent client on Windows Phone Store. Surely, popular service providers Netflix, Pandora, Spotify and the like are not too pleased about this decision, especially after releasing apps for the tiled smartphone operating system.
The BitTorrent client in question is called wpTorrent, and, judging by the number of features it touts, all the basics are covered. Users can discover and find files via RSS feeds and search engines and download content straight to their handsets (even when the device is locked).
The app comes with some pretty nice touches. Users can set wpTorrent to download content only via Wi-Fi (and not use the cellular data in the process) and only when the battery level is above a certain (defined) percentage. This is to ensure that you do not end up reaching the traffic limit, nor with a "dead" Windows Phone.
Download and upload speeds can also be set. For the former, the free wpTorrent app defaults to 200 KB/s, which can only be increased by purchasing the paid version (it goes for $3.99).
WpTorrent can play music and video files, even while downloading the content. To transfer the files onto a different device (like a laptop or tablet, for instance), users have to power up the file manager and share the files via the built-in web server. Content can be grabbed by typing the provided IP address inside a browser, and saving the needed files afterwards.
Overall, wpTorrent is an interesting app for BitTorrent aficionados who wish to take advantage of the file-sharing protocol on Windows Phone 8. The only issue, and this is not related to the quality of the app itself, is how long Microsoft will allow it to remain on the Store.
Apple, for instance, pulled BitTorrent clients from the iOS App Store right after the tech media brought them to public attention.
WpTorrent can be downloaded from Windows Phone Store. The paid version is also available.
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