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AOL limits free Netscape Radio listening

malebolgia   on 01 May 2004 - 23:07 · 10 comments & 2336 views

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A representative from AOL confirmed my earlier suspicion that the company is dropping Real Audio format for its free Netscape Radio service, and switching instead to Ultravox servers, developed by its Nullsoft subsidiary. Spokeswoman Ann Burkart said from the 30th floor at AOL's NY office: "We are in fact using Ultravox on the back end and using Dolby streaming audio for the latest release of the Radio@Netscape player which just launched last month. This does require the player to enable Active-X."

Leaving aside the problem of losing linux and MacOS compatibility that I talked about in my original article: another question immediately became clear: "if Radio@Aol for AOL subscribers and the free Netscape Radio uses the same technology, what reason one has to pay for an AOL account to get streaming music?". In other words, if the free Netscape streaming service runs the same technology and streams music at the same quality, Radio@AOL loses its main selling point.

News source: The Inquirer


What's New:

  • Feature 'Scan of files inside archives'.
  • It supports the module 'CD Images'.
  • Module "Audio/video files": processing of non-standard IDv3 tags.
  • The analyzer of the search expressions is rewritten. Refer to help file for detail.
  • Graphics module. Import embedded thumbnails from CorelDraw files (.CDR,.CDT,.CLK).
  • Compatibility with Win9x is improved.
  • Function "Add files in catalogue" allows to multiselect files.
  • Minor bugs is fixed.

  • Post a comment · Send to friend Comments · There are 10 additional comments
    #1 SunnyB on 02 May 2004 - 02:19

    The only selling point AOL has ever had is their customer ignorance and inaccessability.
    The only people that use AOL are those that don't know any better
    or are so far in the "outback" that they have no other ISP options.

    It is not because of their impeccable service record or their fair pricing schedule.

    Die AOL, die.
    #2 Samoa on 02 May 2004 - 06:20
    *fart* nobody cares about AOL anymore...
    #3 Wolfsglen on 02 May 2004 - 09:57
    Now it becomes clear why Real have suddenly started to suck up to MS...
    #4 cork1958 on 02 May 2004 - 12:24
    With any amount of luck, both of these will die now!!
    #5 Toxikk on 02 May 2004 - 12:49
    *sigh*

    so lame to hate.
    #6 BGuillaume on 02 May 2004 - 14:46
    Netscape has always had most of AOL features for free anyway...they were just not as easy to find
    #7 Jugalator on 02 May 2004 - 14:54
    Eh, who'd be stupid enough to pay to listen to radio anyway?
    There are extreme amounts of free internet radio already.
    #8 overlord2121 on 03 May 2004 - 14:25
    what internet radio service do you guys use? or what is the best one out there?
    (1 reply) #9 BGuillaume on 03 May 2004 - 14:45
    LaunchCast is the best customizable online radio around
    launch.yahoo.com
    #9.1 overlord2121 on 03 May 2004 - 15:39
    do you think if you have an AOL account would netscape be the best free internet radio?

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