BitTorrent, today announced it is collaborating with a number of global hardware manufacturers to promote BitTorrent-embedded consumer products.

BitTorrent is home to the popular peer-to-peer file distribution protocol, and is also the name of a free software implementation of the protocol. Created in 2001, BitTorrent is designed to transfer large files without incurring costly server and bandwidth resources.

Consumer electronics manufacturers are recognizing the importance of integrating the BitTorrent protocol given the tremendous growth of BitTorrent technology adoption around the world. Integration of the BitTorrent platform into their products ensures a fast and seamless download experience for consumers.

ASUS, Planex and QNAP are the first manufacturers to announce plans to embed BitTorrent’s download manager and client into their digital home products. The line-up of devices include the industry’s most innovative wireless routers, media servers and network attached storage (NAS) devices. Hardware that supports the BitTorrent protocol will make it simple for users to consume content even while away from their PC.

“CE manufacturers are still searching for the Rosetta stone of the connected entertainment market,” said Harry Wang, research analyst with Parks. “To move beyond the early-adopter stage, CE manufacturers must ally with content and service providers, software developers and silicon designers to build elegance and usability into the product design and bring popular digital content to consumers’ fingertips anywhere in the home.”