MESSAGE
| DATE | 2004-07-30 |
| FROM | Ruben Safir
|
| SUBJECT | Subject: [hangout] Oh my god - Apple is complaining about Competition!
|
There's beef cooking in cyberspace.
Apple Computer on Thursday accused RealNetworks of hacking its popular
iPod after the competitor released software that lets iPod users
download songs from RealNetworks' own RealPlayer music store.
Previously, only Apple's iTunes software gave users the ability to
purchase songs online and transfer them to an iPod. Apple uses its own
Fairplay Digital Rights Management technology, which it has refused to
license to other companies.
"We are stunned that RealNetworks has adopted the tactics and ethics of
a hacker to break into the iPod, and we are investigating the
implications of their actions under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act
and other laws," an Apple statement read.
Although both the RealPlayer and iTunes stores offer downloads for 99
cents apiece, the fundamental differences between the two services are
in content — each offers its own share of exclusives — and quality. Like
most services, iTunes downloads have a sound quality of 128 kbps. The
RealPlayer music store is the only service to offer songs in 192 kbps,
which is closer to CD quality.
The technology in the new RealPlayer 10.5 beta software "follows in a
well established tradition of fully legal, independently developed paths
to achieve compatibility," RealNetworks said in a statement issued soon
after Apple's. "There is ample and clear precedent for this activity.
For instance, the first IBM-compatible PCs from Compaq. ... Consumers,
and not Apple, should be the ones choosing what music goes on their
iPod."
Besides the iPod, RealPlayer 10.5 also offers compatibility with
portable digital music players made by Creative, Rio, iRiver and more
than 65 other manufacturers.
For complete digital music coverage, check out the Digital Music
Reports.
____________________________
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