{"id":314,"date":"2016-06-24T12:21:14","date_gmt":"2016-06-24T17:21:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/byrondoss.com\/?p=314"},"modified":"2016-06-24T12:21:14","modified_gmt":"2016-06-24T17:21:14","slug":"bittorrent-now-another-streaming-service","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/byrondoss.com\/?p=314","title":{"rendered":"BitTorrent Now..another streaming service"},"content":{"rendered":"

BitTorrent Now..Do we really need another streaming service????<\/h1>\n

\"BitTorrent<\/p>\n

Yesterday BitTorrent came out with a new music streaming service. \u00a0My first question is, do we really need another music streaming service? \u00a0For me personally, NO. \u00a0But there are a lot of people who like multiple who like options.<\/p>\n

First, let’s get one thing straight. \u00a0They are not using their peer-to-peer protocol. \u00a0This is the same ole’ server configuration. \u00a0You can go to their website to see more on it here<\/a>. And two blog post pertaining to this. \u00a0Here<\/a>\u00a0and Here<\/a><\/p>\n

Now, what makes this different than the other programs, or services out there? \u00a0Well Now is part of the BitTorrent Bundle Pack. \u00a0Which is a great way to get music, movies (Film is what BitTorrent refers to that as). One of the very interesting things is that BitTorrent are working with content creators and working on a way to help them actually make more money for their products and ideas.<\/p>\n

The cool thing about the Bundle, is that you can choose how much you want to pay for some things. \u00a0Sure, some items are a set price, but others are available at a price you think you should pay. \u00a0Which, I have to admit is pretty cool. \u00a0This not only allows the artist to make some money on the streaming side. (This is due to ad revenue). \u00a0But, also make money when the album is purchased. \u00a0I like that idea.<\/p>\n

So Byron, why would I want to move to this? \u00a0Well, unless you love indie music, then you wouldn’t. \u00a0It doesn’t have the main stream success that Apple, Google, Deezer, Spotify or Pandora\/Napster has. \u00a0But, if you like to support indie artists. \u00a0And you love to discover new and underground music, well it might just be the place for you.<\/p>\n

The look & feel<\/h3>\n

So i will give BitTorrent credit. \u00a0Their app is nice looking. One of the good things is that you can get into the app without actually signing up with an email address. Which I have to admit is a nice thing.<\/p>\n

\"Sign<\/p>\n

So to start off, I went the route of not using my email to sign in. As you can see above, you have three different ways to sign in. \u00a0And thankfully they have done this right. \u00a0With some services, I might want to use my gmail account, that I normally use. \u00a0For others, I might not want to. So kudos to BitTorrent.<\/p>\n

Main screen<\/h3>\n

Once I was in I was greeted by a simple page with three tabs at the top. \u00a0Recommended, Trending and Following. \u00a0There was also a search icon on the right hand side. \u00a0And the fully looking blue thing on the left, is what you tap to see your profile, if you are signed in.<\/p>\n

\"General<\/p>\n

And just for your knowledge. \u00a0If you aren’t signed in, then you can’t follow anyone. \u00a0I can kinda see why, but at the same time, that is just a pain.<\/p>\n

So the Recommended tab is exactly what it sounds like. \u00a0It just recommends music for you. \u00a0There wasn’t anything fancy like Apple Music or the old Milk Music did, when you chose genres and things of that nature. \u00a0And then it curated according to that and also what you listened to. \u00a0I’m not sure if this will change as I listen to more. \u00a0But, if it doesn’t that that is a #fail right now.<\/p>\n

\"Recommended<\/p>\n

Trending is as you would expect. \u00a0Stuff that is up and coming. \u00a0But in this early stage everything is trending. \u00a0So I think it will take a bit more time for this to actually have more benefit to the user than it does right now.<\/p>\n

\"Trending<\/p>\n

\"Trending<\/p>\n

The following tab, as mentioned above, can only be used if you are signed in. \u00a0So I went ahead and signed in and then was able to see everything in this tab.<\/p>\n

\"Following_general\"<\/p>\n

Searching is done very well. \u00a0With the exception, you can’t search for multiple things. \u00a0The app only allows you to search one specific style or type of genre.<\/p>\n

\"Searching\"<\/p>\n

So tap the search icon, and then you can tap the “type” of music you would like. \u00a0It will then put that up in the search bar and then curtail the searches based on that ONE thing. \u00a0Which, I wish you could choose multiple things as well. \u00a0I might want to listen to Acoustic Electronic Dance music. \u00a0But with the single only option, \u00a0I’m stuck with what comes up. \u00a0Then I have to do the “scroll forever” movement and hope I find something that I like.<\/p>\n

One of the neat things, is that you can also search for Movies and Music Videos. \u00a0This is how it should be. \u00a0That is why this is part of the Bundle. \u00a0All things in one place. \u00a0Here are the pictures of the Music Video and also the Movie.<\/p>\n

\"Screenshot_20160624-102952\"<\/p>\n

\"Screenshot_20160624-103037\"<\/p>\n

Now is the quality there. \u00a0I didn’t really notice it being exceptional. \u00a0I’m viewing on a Nexus 6, which has a QHD screen, and also on Wi-Fi. \u00a0So I wouldn’t expect 4K or even UHD. \u00a0But I’m sure they will stream accordingly to your device and download speeds needs.<\/p>\n

On a funny note, they have Hip Hop in there three different ways. \u00a0“Hip Hop” Hip-Hop” and “HipHop” \u00a0Why that needs three I have no idea. \u00a0But I kinda think it’s funny when it is right next to “Glitch” .<\/p>\n

Artist<\/h3>\n

So when you click on an artist, then you get to look at his profile page. \u00a0This gives you some good information.<\/p>\n

\"Artists<\/p>\n

You can see the album cover, the tracks, you have different choices as to how to share, or buy or listen to. \u00a0You can follow the artist and also see what albums or other works pertain to this specific artist. \u00a0All the same stuff you get anywhere else. \u00a0the one cool thing is the options at the bottom. \u00a0There are a lot.<\/p>\n

\"Artists<\/p>\n

Just on this one artist you can do all kinds of things. Facebook, Twitter, go to their website, iTunes, Soundcloud, Google Play, and buy the album direct. \u00a0So that’s a good thing there. \u00a0You don’t have to go all over the place to find out about the artist.<\/p>\n

To play a track you have to click \u00a0the picture at the top. \u00a0Because that is where the Play\/Pause button is. \u00a0Simple enough.<\/p>\n

Account information<\/h3>\n

Once you do the actual sign in process, then you the Following tab and also get to do the accounts settings thing. \u00a0It is pretty much the same standard fair that you have everywhere else.<\/p>\n

\"Profile_general\"<\/p>\n

You have your main profile page with the most recent views, your favorites and also the artists that you are following. \u00a0Nothing too fancy. \u00a0If you hit the little cog at the top right hand corner, then you can see all your settings.<\/p>\n

\"Settings<\/p>\n

Pretty standard fare. \u00a0Nothing too fancy. \u00a0Which is actually a good thing.<\/p>\n

The Wrap up<\/h2>\n

So, how is it? \u00a0Well, not too bad. \u00a0The sound quality is about what you would expect. \u00a0It isn’t super exceptional, but isn’t half bad either. \u00a0The biggest fault I have with it, and this is just because it is new, is that there is just a ton of indie stuff. \u00a0Stuff you never really want. \u00a0BUT, at the same time, that is what gives this thing it’s appeal. \u00a0Some of the best music is indie music. \u00a0And when I’m on the hunt for something new and refreshing, this will fill that bill very nicely.<\/p>\n

There are a few things though that set me off.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. There isn’t a Chromecast option. \u00a0Even though the app is in the Android store only, there still isn’t that capability. \u00a0Sure I can cast my phone, but I would rather have a cast option. \u00a0Just like I do with YouTube or GPAA.<\/li>\n
  2. I found that a lot of times I was getting the “File not found” error when I click on an artist. \u00a0So yeah..that stinks.<\/li>\n
  3. Video quality was just okay. \u00a0Nothing special.<\/li>\n
  4. No way to have multiple search types within the same search.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The good things.<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. A lot of indie stuff.<\/li>\n
    2. It has movies, music and music videos all together.<\/li>\n
    3. It’s a great way to support indie artists and helps them get paid better.<\/li>\n
    4. Good design and aesthetics.<\/li>\n
    5. Simple and easy. \u00a0A great thing.<\/li>\n
    6. All good things in one place.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Other than that. \u00a0It is just another streaming thing. \u00a0As I said previously, if you like indie stuff, then you are on the right track with this. \u00a0But if you like the ability to search\u00a0millions of tracks, then this isn’t the one for you. \u00a0BitTorrent is off to a good start. \u00a0And I truly hope that a lot more content creators get on board with this. \u00a0But for me, I think I will just stick with what I have.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      BitTorrent Now..Do we really need another streaming service???? Yesterday BitTorrent came out with a new music streaming service. \u00a0My first question is, do we really…<\/p>\n

      Continue readingBitTorrent Now..another streaming service<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[17,18,20,19],"class_list":["post-314","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-review","tag-bittorrent","tag-bittorrent-now","tag-streaming-app","tag-streaming-music","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/byrondoss.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/314","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/byrondoss.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/byrondoss.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/byrondoss.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/byrondoss.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=314"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"http:\/\/byrondoss.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/314\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":343,"href":"http:\/\/byrondoss.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/314\/revisions\/343"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/byrondoss.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=314"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/byrondoss.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=314"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/byrondoss.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=314"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}