“For more than a year, Apple Computers Inc. enjoyed singular success selling songs exclusively to users of its iPod portable music player. Now, it’s got rival RealNetworks Inc. trying to lure iTunes customers away,” Alex Veiga writes for The Associated Press.
“Last month, Seattle-based RealNetworks fired the first shot at Apple, announcing that it had developed technology that allows songs purchased through its own online music services to be played on iPods. On Monday, the company said it would temporarily slash its price for song downloads to 49 cents – 50 cents less than iTunes,” Veiga writes.
“The promotion, which begins Tuesday, coincides with a series of print ads meant to show iPod users they have an alternative to Apple’s iTunes Music Store,” Veiga writes. “The ads [fetaure] an iPod-as-padlock with its lock in the open position and the tag line ‘Half the price of Apple. Welcome to freedom of choice.’ Despite all that, RealNetworks claims it’s not targeting Apple specifically, only pursuing its goal of making its service compatible with as many digital players as possible.”
Full article here.
The ‘iPod-as-padlock’ image is used in the so-called “Freedom of Music Choice” logo here.
Download link for Apple’s iTunes for Mac and Windows here.
MacDailyNews Take: Apple has strongly cautioned Real and their customers that when they update their iPod software from time to time it is highly likely that Real’s Harmony technology will cease to work with current and future iPods. We’ll stick with the iTMS, thanks. The question is, will Windows users who are known to really, really like a “deal” do the same? And will they blame Real or Apple when their songs no longer work with their iPods and iPod minis?
Related MacDailyNews articles:
RealPlayer Music Store announces iPod harmony – July 26, 2004
Test of Real’s new Harmony Technology works with Apple’s iPod – July 27, 2004
BusinessWeek writer: Apple needs to firmly squelch Real’s Harmony – July 27, 2004
Apple ‘stunned’ that Real broke into iPod with ‘Harmony’ – July 29, 2004
Analyst: Apple must not ‘sound anti-consumer’ in the face of Real’s ‘Harmony’ – July 29, 2004
RealNetworks issues statement about Harmony Technology and ‘creating consumer choice’ – July 29, 2004
The Motley Fool: Real’s Harmony ‘is a slap in the face for Apple’ – July 29, 2004
Mac users shut out of Real’s Harmony hack? – July 30, 2004
Forbes writer: ‘bad vibes aren’t likely to stick to Apple’ over Real’s Harmony mess – July 30, 2004
RealNetwork’s CEO Glaser crashes Apple’s music party – July 30, 2004
RealNetworks launces ‘Freedom of Choice’ campaign with song downloads for 49 cents – August 17, 2004
Text of ‘Hey Apple, Don’t Break My iPod! Petition to Apple Computer’ – August 17, 2004
Rob Glaser interviewed about achieving harmony with Steve Jobs – August 17, 2004
Real’s online petition for music ‘freedom’ backfires bigtime – August 17, 2004
RealNetworks debuts replacement ‘freedom petition’ omitting comments – August 17, 2004