I, too, was on the prowl for an android bittorrent client... and here is what I have learned...
- Most phones have memory limitations which make downloading large torrent files almost impossible. Downloading a small show (250 or 500 megs) might be feasible, but it depends on a number of factors. As always, the smaller the file the less likely you'll encounter snags in the download. Trying to download a torrent that is too big for your phone to handle will result in crashes and instability.
- You almost have to be plugged in while you're doing this. Bittorrent clients, and Swarm especially, consume LARGE amounts of data over your 3G network. Your phone may also get very hot, so you want to watch your battery temperature. I would also recommend turning off as much stuff as possible while Swarm is running - doing so will make it more stable.
- the Swarm client currently does not support private torrents. Only public trackers. That means no Demonoid, or any other private site you may get torrents from. Public trackers are filled with RIAA/MPAA bots looking to farm IP addresses of people uploading copyrighted content.
- Downloading from 3G is *not* more secure or invisible. Your wireless carrier (in my case, Verizon) assigns IP addresses to your connection and they can be backtraced to your customer info just like any other IP address. Don't kid yourself either... your wireless company can and will give out your info if subpoened by the RIAA/MPAA in a heartbeat if it looked like you were doing illegal stuff on their network. 3G is different than a DSL line... lots of torrent usage over 3G can adversely impact the network. (or so the wireless carriers claim) - Bottom line, downloading torrents via Swarm or even while tethered will NOT prevent you from getting a cease & desist or lawsuit letter from the RIAA/MPAA if you are downloading copyrighted content.
- As with any application that pulls large amounts of data over the 3G network, you may get flagged for high usage. Some torrents are bigger than your entire monthly soft data limit. Don't be stupid with your data connection, because if you are caught downloading torrents via 3G, they can cancel your phone account entirely and slap you with a huge early termination fee. If your usage is going over 5 gigs a month, their automated system will flag your account and someone will look into it. Again, this is subjective to your carrier... I've heard reports that some people go over 5 gigs a month every month and never get flagged, and some people get flagged for LESS. The bottom line is that every major wireless carrier has built in systems to try and detect "suspicious behavior" ... and they'd just love an excuse to slap a huge fee on you, or even worse cancel your phone line entirely.
