BitTorrent Delivers Unique Media to Users Through Two New Apps

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BitTorrent Inc., a technology company engineering transformative new products to accelerate the discovery, distribution and delivery of media over the Internet, today announced two key new apps now available to BitTorrent Mainline users.

“I am thrilled to be named the App Developers Challenge winner”

The first features talks from TED, the nonprofit organization devoted to “ideas worth spreading.” The app aggregates TED’s famous 18-minute talks – from luminaries in a wide range of fields, including technology, entertainment, design, science, business and global development – into a single app-based destination found in the new apps feature in the BitTorrent Mainline client released two weeks ago and in the current µTorrent beta. Now, it is easier than ever for users to quickly and easily discover TED’s informative, educational and inspiring videos.

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with BitTorrent to bring TEDTalks to millions of new viewers,” said June Cohen, Executive Producer of TED Media. “TED’s mission is to spread ideas, and BitTorrent’s new apps platform will amplify our work really powerfully, reaching a large and engaged audience who may be new to TED.”

The second app released today, called Zulu Music, was announced today as the winner of BitTorrent’s µTorrent Developer Challenge launched last July.

Zulu Music allows users to easily discover and download new artists for free via the Jamendo API. The app was built on a JavaScript-based extension framework and was developed using the BT Apps SDK.

The App Developer Challenge tasked independent developers around the globe to create apps that inspire innovative uses of µTorrent and BitTorrent and enhance the product’s user experience through new features and functionality. Zulu’s developer, Steven Viola, will receive a $1000 gift certificate to Amazon.com; µTorrent memorabilia; and a winner's badge for his website.

“I am thrilled to be named the App Developers Challenge winner,” said Steven Viola. “The fact that the apps are JavaScript means I’m free of many of the typical barriers of app platforms. The possibilities are virtually limitless, and understanding that I can reach so many people with my app is hugely motivational. I look forward to developing many more apps in the future.”

“Apps add an entirely new dimension to our popular BitTorrent and µTorrent software, and are one of our key initiatives in helping bridge the relationships between content creators and consumers,” said Eric Klinker, CEO at BitTorrent Inc. “Engaging the developer community is integral part of our vision for the future of a world where people can discover entertaining and informative content. TED and Zulu Music are prime examples of how this vision will be fulfilled today, tomorrow and into the future.”

About BitTorrent

BitTorrent engineers transformative open technologies and products to accelerate the discovery, distribution and delivery of digital media over the Internet, bringing the world’s free movies, music, games and apps to over 80 million enthusiasts worldwide. The company's two main products today include the original BitTorrent software and the tiny-but-mighty µTorrent. BitTorrent is based in San Francisco, Calif. and currently has 40 employees. More information is available at www.bittorrent.com.

About TED

TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Started as a four-day conference in California 25 years ago, TED has grown to support those world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives. The annual TED Conference invites the world's leading thinkers and doers to speak for 18 minutes. Their talks are then made available, free, at TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Al Gore, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Nandan Nilekani, Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Isabel Allende and UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The annual TED Conference takes place in Long Beach, California, with simulcast in Palm Springs; TEDGlobal is held each year in Oxford, UK. TED's media initiatives include TED.com, where new TEDTalks are posted daily, and the Open Translation Project, which provides subtitles and interactive transcripts as well as the ability for any TEDTalk to be translated by volunteers worldwide. TED has established the annual TED Prize, where exceptional individuals with a wish to change the world are given the opportunity to put their wishes into action; TEDx, which offers individuals or groups a way to host local, self-organized events around the world; and the TEDFellows program, helping world-changing innovators from around the globe to become part of the TED community and, with its help, amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities.

Follow TED on Twitter at twitter.com/TEDNews, or on Facebook at facebook.com/TED.