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For six years, the Internet Nexus served as my technology blog, but I've since started blogging at the SuperSite Blog instead. If you're looking for the blog, please head there. --Paul

Thursday, July 29, 2004

Apple Blasts RealNetworks As Music War Heats Up

WSJ (registration required): "Apple Computer Inc. blasted rival RealNetworks Inc. and said it is 'investigating the [legal] implications' of Real's recent move to begin selling songs in Apple's music format, used with Apple's popular iPod device. In a brief press release Thursday morning, Apple said: 'We are stunned that RealNetworks has adopted the tactics and ethics of a hacker to break into the iPod.' Apple also cautioned RealNetworks and its customers that 'when we update our iPod software from time to time it is highly likely that Real's Harmony technology will cease to work with current and future iPods.'"

So there you go. As some have predicted, Apple will try to purposely break Real's technology in a future iPod software update. This tactic is fraught with problems, of course. But I have to wonder how successful it will be: The (admittedly single) song I purchased from Real's RealPlayer Music Store is now safely captured on my iPod in Apple's Protected AAC format (albeit in a wonderful 192 Kbps version, higher than Apple's 128 Kbps offerings), and will likely keep playing regardless of what Apple does. My feeling here is that it was too bad the companies couldn't work together, but I think everyone agrees that it was Apple's decision to break things. As a music lover and a PC user, I believe that choice is good, and I'd rather purchase 192 Kbps AAC songs than 128 Kbps AAC songs, given the choice. And this is the reason Real's efforts should be applauded, and not denounced.

[ Posted at 9:24 AM | Permalink ]