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uTorrent to move away from bundled software monetization model

The uTorrent team announced a couple of days ago that it plans to move away from the bundled software monetization model that it is currently making use of to earn revenue.

The popular BitTorrent client uses three main monetization streams currently: bundled third-party software, in-client advertisement and uTorrent Pro.

Users of the software can disable the advertisement that is displayed in the client, and uTorrent Plus is a completely optional version of the application that adds features such as the streaming of torrents and conversions to the program.

The company was heavily criticized for bundled third-party software earlier this year when it came to light that it offered a Bitcoin Miner this way which ran in the background and used cpu cycles to mine Bitcoin. It removed the offer quickly afterwards though.

The team explains that they were never satisfied with the bundled software revenue model, and that they want to find a model that adds value to the product and its users.

The announcement reveals little information about the new approach to monetization, other than that there will be options for all budgets, and that the entire process will be transparent and open.

utorrent-3.4-bundle

The team says it has a couple of ideas that it wants to explore in the coming weeks and months.

Donations would fit the requirements perfectly. Users could donate as much or as little as they want, and the desire to do so would likely increase if the team would remove the bundled software offers and maybe even the in-content ads from the client.

Other options may include a deals system in which download deals are offered to users for discounts. Bittorrent Inc, the parent company, has been offering bundles for some time, and an expansion of that might be an option that the team wants to explore.

There is also the possibility of an in-client store for plugins, themes and add-ons for the client.

Closing Words

Most users of the client will welcome the move, and it may even bring back some users who stopped using uTorrent because of its third-party software bundling.

A level of uncertainty remains though as the team has yet to announce or show the monetization ideas that it plans to integrate into the client. (via Torrentfreak)

Now You: Are you a uTorrent user? What's your take on the announcement?

This article was first seen on ComTek's "TekBits" Technology News

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