Real, SanDisk Team Up Against Apple and Microsoft

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Just five years since Apple released iPods that integrate with iTunes, Apple foes Real Networks and SanDisk are teaming up in an attempt to emulate that iTunes/iPod ecosystem. Real and SanDisk plan to release a portable media device that integrates support for Real's Rhapsody music service, according to The Boston Globe.

The product will be called the Sansa Rhapsody and will be available by Christmas in the US. It will be sold with hundreds of pre-loaded songs and a free trial to Real's Rhapsody to Go service. The deal is also seen as a way the two firms can compete with Microsoft, which launched its own brand Zune music player and accompanying download service last week, to the displeasure of the majority of its existing partners.

"This is kind of a way for both Rhapsody and SanDisk to say, 'Well, if you're (Microsoft) gong to compete with us, guess what, we're gong to compete with you," analyst Phil Leigh of Inside Digital Media said.

News source: Macworld UK

(1 reply) #1 RAID 0 on 18 Sep 2006 - 15:34

Real sucks, SanDisk is OK. I'm no apple fan boy, but for the love of God..... I hope Apple stomps Real. I hope this puts Real under for good.

#1.1 AMDMEFX-55 on 18 Sep 2006 - 17:15

What are you crazy?????? I have used Urge,Itunes,Yahoo Music,Napster,Musicmatch and Rhapsody music service. Rhapsody by far is much much better then all of them with high quality wma and fast downloads. I know I have used them all.

#2 sagy on 18 Sep 2006 - 15:36

I dont see this going anywhere... I think its a waste of time.. both sandisk and microsoft.. however microsoft might fetch a little bit of the market but looking on the other side - the Sept. 12th event.. where 70% (I think) car models will have iPod plugins, 450,000 sales of Nike in 90 days.. and God knows what's coming ahead.

#3 C-M on 18 Sep 2006 - 15:50

good luck with that, real.

#4 yert* on 18 Sep 2006 - 16:43

It might be worth the work and money if Real didn't SUCK.

(1 reply) #5 eilegz on 18 Sep 2006 - 16:50

ohh god people just need to get a life real stuff its just as bloated as microsoft and apple its offering (wmp and itunes) i dont see why bash something when others are doing the same thing

#5.1 rm20010 on 19 Sep 2006 - 05:50

They've got a dark history. That speaks for itself.

#6 Wolfsglen on 18 Sep 2006 - 17:45

Hopefully its less bloated than the older Realplayers were - otherwise it will be the size of a suitcase, weigh a ton and be handcuffed to your wrist so its always there and cant be removed easily

That or take 2 minutes to start up when you hit the power button *buffering....buffering*

Yes they are old and crap jokes, but i dont care and make just as many about iPods etc

#7 Munkyman on 18 Sep 2006 - 17:46

LOL

#8 C_Guy on 18 Sep 2006 - 18:30

This is kind of a way for both Rhapsody and SanDisk to say, 'Well, if you're (Microsoft) gong to compete with us, guess what, we're gong to compete with you,"

Yeah, good luck with that. I'm sure Microsoft is just terrified. Apple's probably not even listening.

"Real", what's that?

#9 lammmetak on 18 Sep 2006 - 20:31

Lol Apple owns them all.

(1 reply) #10 Nexx295 on 18 Sep 2006 - 20:39

They're joking, right?

#10.1 Lare2 on 18 Sep 2006 - 20:48

I really hope they are

(1 reply) #11 Lare2 on 18 Sep 2006 - 20:47

SandDisk .. just let Real die ... and don't extend its agony with this ...

#11.1 sagy on 18 Sep 2006 - 21:52

Quote - Lare2 said @ #11

or how about saying... Real might just kill SanDisk?

#12 guylaroche on 18 Sep 2006 - 22:41

Real sucks monkey ****s. I used to like them, but I frankly think they're nothing but bloatware now.

#13 Galley on 19 Sep 2006 - 01:45

As I understand it, Rhapsody will soon be using the same 192Kbps AAC files that are currently available in the RealPlayer Music Store. These tracks are transferable to iPods without any loss of quality, so perhaps someday Rhapsody 4.0 (which is in closed beta right now) will be iPod-compatible.

#14 Darkinspiration on 19 Sep 2006 - 02:00

Since 85% if ipod user are not downloading song from itune but are buying cd and ripping them...

and they have 70% of all mp3 player...

is there even a market for this or are they fighting over the scraps?

#15 strekship on 19 Sep 2006 - 02:04

Real is still around? I haven't seen or used RealPlayer for years.

(1 reply) #16 mrmckeb on 19 Sep 2006 - 03:14

Stupid Sandisk. Real was the worst partner you could have ever hoped for, you should have stuck with Play4Sure and worked a little deal up with MTV.

#16.1 zivan56 on 19 Sep 2006 - 17:19

The Sandisk Sansa will support both, as it currently does not even support this new format. Try doing a little bit of research before posting first.

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