Kasper JadeApple Computer on Thursday issued an official statement on RealNetworks' Harmony software, which will allow users to play songs purchased from RealNetworks' music store on the iPod.
In the brief statement, Apple said, "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 DMCA and other laws. We strongly caution Real and their 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."
With no favorable response from Apple, Glaser e-mailed Apple chief Steve Jobs a month later, pleading for the formation of a "strategic partnership" in which RealNetworks would obtain a license for Apple's Fairplay Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology. In return, Glaser said that RealNetworks would make the iPod its primary device for the Real music store and its RealPlayer software.
Apple was less than interested and quickly shot down RealNetworks' offer, also denying Glaser a meeting with CEO Steve Jobs to discuss the matter.
On Monday, RealNetworks announced its Harmony technology, that when released will allow users to play music bought and downloaded from its online music store on the iPod. To create Harmony, RealNetworks created a way to translate songs downloaded from Real's store from Real's Helix DRM scheme to an equivalent of Apple's FairPlay when loaded onto an iPod.
Earlier today, RealNetworks began threatening to license its Harmony Technology to the many digital online music stores.
In an anonymous e-mail to AppleInsider this morning, one source claims that Apple has already assembled a small software engineering team that will focus on disabling RealNetworks' hack.
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96 Comments
Oh this is going to get mighty interesting. *sits down with a bag of popcorn and watches*
agreed. very interesting. i keep thinking, isn't this type of thinking what hurt Apple in the PC race? i think they should have licensed the technology. iPod owners will still favor the Apple Store. but they could really corner the MP3 player market if they licensed FairPlay.
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lance
Glaser said "that Apple is creating problems for itself by using a file format that forces consumers to buy music from Apple's own iTunes site. Because Apple's iPod music player does not support other proprietary music formats and does not license its own format to rivals, Real's Rhapsody and other song sites are blocked from easily reaching iPod users. Apple's (market) share will go down if they continue to do this."
It plays AAC, MP3, Audible, WAV... yup, seems to be creating one hell of a problem for Apple.
It plays AAC, MP3, Audible, WAV... yup, seems to be creating one hell of a problem for Apple.
THANK YOU! i just got finished posting this in another site, but it bears repeating (and because i just want to hear myself type...)
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The mythical "closed" iPod
you know what really irks me? it's that real and even the news keep harping on "oh, the ipod can only play apple's itunes music, and that's not fair..."
no, no, No, No, a MILLION TIMES NO!!!!!!
you know how you play non-iTunes Music Store purchases on an iPod? you go to the friggin' record store and do what you did before the iPod existed... YOU BUY THE CD AND RIP IT TO AN MP3.
THAT, my friends, is apple's counter to ANY argument about how "closed" the iPod is, or for a friend of mine who is still in OS 9 and is mad that Apple' is "making" him upgrade in order to buy songs. um, no. they're just telling you to do what you've been doing all along. sure, the EASY WAY is also APPLE'S WAY, but how the heck is that unfair? even if they don't get you to buy ANY songs from the iTMS, Apple is STILL giving you an MP3 encoder for free download. what, you want them to hold your non-mousing hand for you while you rip 'em???
anyway, i know i am preaching to the choir here, but it bears repeating every once in a while.
THANK YOU! i just got finished posting this in another site, but it bears repeating (and because i just want to hear myself type...)
(*************************)
The mythical "closed" iPod
you know what really irks me? it's that real and even the news keep harping on "oh, the ipod can only play apple's itunes music, and that's not fair..."
no, no, No, No, a MILLION TIMES NO!!!!!!
you know how you play non-iTunes Music Store purchases on an iPod? you go to the friggin' record store and do what you did before the iPod existed... YOU BUY THE CD AND RIP IT TO AN MP3.
THAT, my friends, is apple's counter to ANY argument about how "closed" the iPod is, or for a friend of mine who is still in OS 9 and is mad that Apple' is "making" him upgrade in order to buy songs. um, no. they're just telling you to do what you've been doing all along. sure, the EASY WAY is also APPLE'S WAY, but how the heck is that unfair? even if they don't get you to buy ANY songs from the iTMS, Apple is STILL giving you an MP3 encoder for free download. what, you want them to hold your non-mousing hand for you while you rip 'em???
anyway, i know i am preaching to the choir here, but it bears repeating every once in a while.
Personally, I think the 'closed iPod myth' is just FUD (what else is new) that is spread around by the losers in this market (read: everyone BUT Apple). Thankfully, the average consumer seems to be smarter when choosing a portable music player than they do buying a computer.
You know it irks those companies to see a computer company that is written off in so many ways totally dominate this new arena.
One last thing. Raise your hands if you're gonna miss Real once Apple mops the floor with 'em?
(crickets chirping)
Thought so.