apple has finally licenced Fairplay? Or is this some kind of reverse-engineering?

Maybe I don't understand correctly. I though the problem with the iPod was that it could not read WMA, and .rm files. Having nothing to do with DRM. So is this software re-programming the iPod it's self? Or just converting the DRM'ed .rm files to DRM'ed MP3 or AAC?

conversion

On one hand, you have to give Real credit for pulling this off. It seems like Real fans will now be able to use iPods.

However, in light of the recent attempts by Real to get Steve to open up the iPod to 3rd parties, it seems like this is a last ditch attempt by Real to save themselves. It's almost like the vacuum cleaner salesman trying to make the sale by going door to door. He gets rejected on the front porch, then runs to the side window and starts knocking on it, hops the back fence, falls down in the mud, reaches the back door only to see a big dog coming to bite his pant leg...

I am not a fan of Real. I think their product quality is only out-crapped by Windows Media. So I think this is them trying hard to survive with a lesser quality product in an iPod world.

Kudos to Real's programmers for Harmony, but get back to work and make your products worthy of actually using.

Just goto Apple get your itunes software for free and be compatable in the furture.

Why risk your music purchase on a real hack?

Ita obvious that real is desperate.

Just like they stole the pc with bios hacks...now apply it to ipod.

I may be wrong but I thought Real uses AAC for its music store.

They use AAC with their own DRM, so they'd still have to convert the file to be AAC with Apple's DRM.

They just have to apply their DRM similar to Apple's process. Then, iTunes--and the iPod--will treat their files just like iTMS files.

... SO sued. :)

I see this as good news. I'm lazy and like the instant gratification of downloaded music. Real will pick up the few tracks that I can't find on the iTunes store if this service works well with the iPod and iTunes.