RealNetworks, SanDisk partner to take on iPod

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RealNetworks, SanDisk partner to take on iPod

After persistent compatibility problems with Microsoft’s “Plays for Sure” format, RealNetworks has teamed up with SanDisk to offer a portable music player that works seamlessly with the company’s Rhapsody service. The Sansa Rhapsody will be based on SanDisk’s e200 player, which comes in 2GB to 8GB sizes and retails for $140 to $250. The player has a layer of RealNetworks’ own software, including copy-protection technology, to ensure compatibility.

Interestingly, the Wall Street Journal reports that RealNetworks planned to build its own portable music player last year before partnering with SanDisk. “In the spring of 2005, Mr. Glaser got so fed up with the problems that a team of RealNetworks engineers began making prototypes of an iPod-like music player—code-named Joey, after the baby kangaroos that live in the pockets of their mothers—which RealNetworks planned to make itself. RealNetworks also flirted with the idea of buying a hardware maker.”

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Comments

1

Come 7
Come 11
Come a riggity raggedy shagedy town.
Who can take the iPod down?
Nobody, nobody yet!
Nobody, nobody yet!
When you’re up you’re up
You’re down you’re down
You’re up against iPod
You’re upside down
iPod, iPod, horray iPod!

Posted by Navec245 on September 18, 2006 at 9:08 AM (PDT)

2

RealNetworks on a portable device, eh?

Here’s a preview of the device’s screen:

Buffering…

Posted by Chris Rawson on September 18, 2006 at 5:26 PM (PDT)

3

From what I have read, Rhapsody is switching to Protected RealAudio 10 files. These .rax files (purchased from the RealPlayer Music Store) are already transferable to the iPod without any loss of quality (since RA10 is AAC). If that is the case, then perhaps RealNetworks will one day offer Rhapsody for iPods.

Posted by Galley in Greenville, SC on September 18, 2006 at 6:02 PM (PDT)

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