Real, SanDisk challenge Apple, MS

RealNetworks is partnering with SanDisk to release a portable music player that more closely integrates with RealNetworks' Rhapsody online music service. The move follows announcements last week that integrated Rhapsody into Sonos digital media players and is seen as another attempt to take on Apple's industry-leading iPod and iTunes ecosystem as well as Microsoft's recently announced Zune player and music service, according to the Associated Press: "Microsoft has been providing the technology that allowed services such as Rhapsody to transfer songs to portable music players without compromising the digital rights of that content. But many say they think Microsoft's plans to release the Zune service and a player made by Toshiba could make the software giant a significant competitor." The companies play to release the Sansa Rhapsody, a portable music player based on SanDisk's e200, before the holidays, but declined to reveal pricing. The report says that the player will come preloaded with "hundreds of songs" as part of a free trial of RealNetworks' Rhapsody To Go subscription service.

Filed under: industry
Other story tags: digital music/video