Extendability is the new black. Seriously, everywhere you look, applications and games alike are all adding support for upgrades, add-ons, plug-ins and extensions. Whatever you want it, I like it.
The industry is slowly coming to terms with the fact that one size doesn’t fit all, and allowing the consumer to pimp their individual user experiences.
Why shouldn’t it? With decent implementation, the base applications in question remain as fast, functional and easy to use as ever before. There’s no must in the equation. Only opportunity.
uTorrent :: Project Griffin (Alpha)
With its latest alpha release, uTorrent has added support for so called third-party ‘apps’, comparable to Firefox’s add-ons, or Chrome’s extensions.
First of all, the Alpha release of Project Griffin is only available for Windows. Secondly, it’s in Alpha, which means it’s considerably more unstable than even a Beta. This means that you can still expect some rough edges and application crashes before it rolls as smooth as a release version. The Alpha can already be downloaded for those bleeding-edge feature-junkies amongst you.
The uTorrent extensions use a web-based framework, which consists only of HTML and Javascript. Essentially, aside from the technical details, this means that uTorrent won’t be paying for the upcoming extensions in size or speed. It will remain the feather-light and lightning-fast BitTorrent client we have all come to enjoy.
The developer API is still to be released, so right now, there are four uTorrent extensions available – discussed below. It goes without saying that these are for demonstration and testing purposes, albeit adding interesting features to the application.
Virus Guard
This might seem like an odd choice, since most people have a virus scanner on their computer already. Sadly, though, the need to surveil an entire computer clogs up a considerable amount of memory. Whether you only want to put a guard at the weakest gate, or add an extra layer of security, Virus Guard comes to the rescue.
The extension is powered by BitDefender, a considerable player in the anti-virus community, and can be used one of two ways. Scan All, depicted above, will take a thorough look through your entire torrent libraries, and attempt to spot any irregularities. Additionally, you can right-click any individual torrent and let the Virus Guard inspect it.
Raptr Free Games
The Raptr uTorrent extension takes another route – that of free games. No, the extension won’t integrate MiniClip or Kongregate in your Torrenting application, luckily, but offers you a repository of the top freeware games, much like those we sometimes discuss at MakeUseOf.
Simply select one of the games from the list, review the description, file size and rating, and start downloading it with the click of a button. Each and every one of those game downloads will fire up a torrent in the main uTorrent panel. Simple as that.
VODO
VODO can be compared to Raptr, but for indie short films instead of games. Again, you can browse the titles as if you were simply using a web-browser, viewing individual film descriptions and comments.
Those film downloads will be launched as torrents as well, and are sometimes available in both a standard definition, and high definition flavor.
µGadget
µGadget is the only uTorrent extension that specifically focuses on uTorrent, and quite frankly, the only extension I advise against installing. Here’s why.
Although it’s advertised as bringing browser support to uTorrent, it does so much more. And not in a good way. In essence, µGadget is an Ask.com toolbar with a little bit of uTorrent control. As you can see below, the majority of the toolbar is cluttered with the usual unnecessary superfluidity.
Only when you press the uTorrent icon, limited controls come into sight. If you don’t mind the Ask.com toolbar, µGadget does its job perfectly. However, it’s probably still easier to just open the uTorrent client if you suddenly change your mind about a download.
What do you think? Will uTorrent be needlessly cluttered by these apps, or do you see the windows of opportunity opening wide? Let us know your opinion in the comments section below!
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