RealNetworks proposes alliance with Apple
updated 07:30 am EDT, Thu April 15, 2004
Real pursues Apple deal
RealNetworks CEO Rob Glaser has appealed to Apple CEO Steve Jobs to so as to allow music purchased through RealNetworks's Rhapsody music store to work with the iPod. In an email sent to Jobs last week, and obtained by The New York Times, Glaser proposes that in return RealNetworks would make the iPod its primary device for the store and its RealPlayer software. Glaser cited a need for his company to find a partner in the increasingly competitive business, and suggested that should Apple rebuff the offer, as industry analysts expect, it would likely turn to Microsoft and migrate its music store from the AAC format to WMA. "Why is Steve afraid of opening up the iPod?" Glaser asked the Times, after word of the deal leaked out. "Steve is showing a high level of fear that I don't understand."











??
04/15, 08:08am reply
This seems like a great idea, Real promoting the iPod.
What's Job's problem?
moonmonkey
Professional Poster
Joined: Jan 2001
Just Do It, Steve.
04/15, 08:08am reply
Remember Steve, the iTMS is all about selling iPods, not music. Glaser wants to help you do that. His agenda is to get back at Bill Gates and Co., and there's nothing wrong with that. Just do it.
ardvaark
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2004
itunes sells ipods
04/15, 08:26am reply
A while back, Steve himself said that itunes existed to to sell ipods. Despite the success of the itunes store, he said that it was an expensive service to operate and had tough margins. if this still holds true, then the real music store will simply be another marketing arm to sell ipods.
however, there is recent talk that the itunes store is making money. apple's decision here will determine whether they plan to make money distributing music or selling hardware.
-Winston
macshootout.com
winstonford
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 2004
Just buy Real out
04/15, 08:28am reply
Why can't Apple just buy Real out?
DeepDish
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2001
I think..
04/15, 08:37am reply
Do it, it'll get the "iTunes is closed critcs to shutup" and it could lead to Real adopting/intergating Quicktime into it's services and content. This would be a good thing. Quicktime is great but there is very little content on the web in Quicktime.
IonCable
Mac Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2001
Great idea
04/15, 08:38am reply
This should be an ASAP.
dave a
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2002
This was 2 years ago
04/15, 08:40am reply
Apple and Real networks proposed a simalar alliance and a single all-in-one quicktime/realplayer over 2 years ago.
But Real networks wanted all of the Quicktime code but wouldn't hand over any codeing for its player. In other words realtime would "take" Quicktime and all Apple would get is some money (which it does not need) for its licenceing.
Maybe thats what Steve Jobs is worried about. That this is just a way for the number 2 guy to just walz in and take the best of the number 1 guy.
I do think it is funny that Real networks is comeing to Apple. Rember for the past year they have been telling people that iTunes will never work, the iPod to exspensive and that Apple and the world needs to follow there bussiness model (a bussiness model that has gone out of bussiness twice before).
For a company that is going out of bussiness and no one wants to develop for there sure are a lot of companies comeing to Apple for help or copying what ever Apple does.
ibeetle
Registered User
Joined: May 2003
Do it!
04/15, 08:43am reply
Apple didn't report a huge increase in revenues yesterday because they sold lots of songs through iTunes. Make the deal! Sell more iPods!
nemanirc
Dedicated MacNNer
Joined: Mar 2000
funny...
04/15, 08:46am reply
"Steve is showing a high level of fear that I don't understand." Funny, it doesn't sound like STEVE is showing the fear here...
rok
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 1999
re:This was 2 years ago
04/15, 08:55am reply
"But Real networks wanted all of the Quicktime code but wouldn't hand over any codeing for its player. In other words realtime would "take" Quicktime and all Apple would get is some money (which it does not need) for its licenceing. "
Good point, and what is Real offering now? They're offering to push/help market the iPod if Apple lets them license their stuff so they can sell more songs in their own music store. That doesn't seem like a very good trade for Apple, they should definitely hold out for more from Real because this only benefits Real. Apple props up Real and gets not much in return.
There doesn't seem to be too much of a rush to buy/use songs coded in WMA over mp3/aac formats.
pliny
Mac Elite
Joined: Apr 2001