“A consortium of the world’s largest computer and electronics companies on Tuesday established ground rules for building compatible electronic devices that can share movies, music and other media… Many of the 145 global companies, including Sony Corp. and Microsoft Corp, are deeply wedded to proprietary ways of storing and processing digital media content. The group, however, found consensus in common and existing standards for audio, video and Internet communications,” Daniel Sorid reports for Reuters.
“Products that meet the specifications of the Digital Living Network Alliance will be awarded a logo that will let shoppers know that such a device will work with other certified products. The first compatible electronics could start appearing on store shelves by the end of this year,” Sorid reports. “Several challenges became apparent as participating executives gave a presentation to reporters in San Francisco. For one, the group acknowledged that they had yet to agree upon an anti-piracy technology for movies and music.”
“Also, despite the large collection of companies, at least two important names in consumer electronics were absent from the alliance: Apple Computer Inc. and RealNetworks Inc. Apple did not immediately return a call seeking comment. Real said it would consider joining at a later date. Apple’s portable music player, the iPod, has become a highly profitable success in legal music downloading,” Sorid reports.
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: RealNetworks is an “important name in consumer electronics?” Since when?