BitTorrent takes torrenting mainstream with Project Chrysalis

BitTorrent has published an alpha release of Project Chrysalis, a new build of its torrent engine aimed at drawing companies and consumers into the distribution channel.

Project Chrysalis aims to demystify the process of using torrents, and open up BitTorrent's user base to e-commerce.

The underlying engine is the same, but a new user-friendly interface allows simpler downloading and grouping of content into channels that can have payment systems attached, the company said.

BitTorrent saw around 150 million downloads of its torrent software last year, but around two thirds of users deleted the software shortly afterwards.

It was clear that the software needed to be less technical and easier to use, according to BitTorrent vice president of product management Simon Morris.

"Looking at the current client this is still a quite technical, data-rich experience. It's frankly amazing that we've got over 100 million users of this, " he told V3.co.uk.

"We're changing the experience from one that it very data-rich to one that is much more of a media-rich experience."

The software has a number of new features, including prioritising early run files to allow streaming of part of the file before the full download is complete.

Project Chrysalis also allows companies to track the rough location of those downloading specific content, allowing highly targeted campaigns around certain media.

The alpha code can be linked into smartphones and tablets via an Android application, allowing the content to be streamed to any compatible device via Wi-Fi. A cellular service is under development.

BitTorrent also gave V3.co.uk a sneak preview of a new broadcast service being developed by the company's co-founder, Bram Cohen.

BitTorrent Live allows anyone to upload a broadcast with only a few seconds delay, which can then be streamed and shared by other internet users who add to the speed of the broadcast.

Cohen claimed that this could be as disruptive to the media industry as the original BitTorrent protocols. BitTorrent Live is expected to go live this summer.