apple news/media reports
04/16/2004, 10:15am, EDT
Friday, April 16th
No deal for RealNetworks
Apple has reportedly turned down RealNetworks' offer to license its Fairplay DRM technology, and a meeting that RealNetworks CEO Rob Glaser sought with Apple CEO Steve Jobs this week to discuss the matter is not taking place. "Steve just doesn't want to open the iPod, and we don't understand that," a RealNetworks spokesperson said. Apple declined to comment on the matter. Earlier this week Jobs told The Wall Street Journal, "The iPod already works with the No. 1 music service in the world, and the iTunes Music Store works with the No. 1 digital-music player in the world," he said. "The No. 2s are so far behind already. Why would we want to work with No. 2?" Meanwhile, an article in today's Journal reveals that Apple has previously turned down other partnership proposals regarding the iTunes Music Store. Last year, Rio Audio approached Apple to open the store so that other hardware players would be compatible with its Fairplay AAC files. Apple turned that offer down. "We can do nothing," a Rio Audio vice president said.
Filed under: Apple
, 
, 45
, 
, 
, 
, 
, 
, 
Top
subscribe to comments
for this article
We dont play well with others
Have it our way
The highway
But, Real is willing to make the iPod the only player for its store. That will lead to more iPod sales for Apple and more profits.
If I were a shareholder (sold my shares), I'd be voting the whole board off in the upcoming election. This is just stupid - sell the iPod to whoever wants it. Open up FairPlay to Real so they can sell compatible songs.
Win win for everyone - put your ego aside for the good of the company.
This is, IMO, incredibly foolish.
This kind of behavior does not bode well for increasing the mindshare or marketshare of Apple computers (aside from the possible exception of the iPod).
I guess he's truly happy with dwindling 2.5% marketshare. I hope the shareholders are enthralled as well once M$ teams with Real for their online music venture.
kind of stupid with real
Now that Apple has 75% of the market in the MP3 player and Online Music store they are paying attention and they want to come on board.
I would feel kind like Steve J feels. You guys did not believed in us, you guys critized us, well too bad.
Apple is growing. They are opening stores while gateway is closing them, they can not keep up with Mini iPod while Dell lowered his MP3 price, (they still don't get it. Dell, your MP3 player is uggly), and now people are begging to join Apple.
Apple adopted the AAC standard. Real, just do the same.
I've been suporting Apple since beginning. It feels good to see them being back. And it's just the beginning.
Ignorant of history, while they do have a sizeable lead, like they had a sizeable share, guess what happens when you try your best to repeat the same mistake you made years ago?
There is NO freaking downside to letting Real sell music that can ONLY be used on iPods. None whatsoever. It could ONLY help sell Pods AND help them maintain their lead in the market.
Instead it's turning on Jubs monstrous ego. Pure and simple. DUMB, DUMB, DUMB.
I love my iPod and don't need Real content, but is it smart to publicly taunt your competitors in such a fashion?
This could potentially expand the reach of QuickTime as well.
So, would it REALLY hurt in the LONG run? Is Apple thinking SHORT term here? Is this 1986 all over again?
Additionally Apple cares about user experience far more then most companies and they do not believe in the quality of experience one would get at the Real store... related to this is support. If something goes wrong Apple will likely field more calls that are related to Real's problems not Apples.
Also if you look at the leaked email Real tried to scare / threaten Apple into this, screw that.