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RealNetworks Slashes Song Prices
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eh
I think on Apples part it would be wise to allow people to sell content that plays on othe iPod so long as it was not in WMA format as that would be the only real conflict of interests. If Real's service is made availible for the Mac and it doesnt completely suck then I wouldnt mind looking through their cataloge. I like competition, and Apple should as well.
However, here is the problem that I see with Reals strategy; how the hell is this thing going to be sustainable? Apple runs its music service as a way to sell iPods, its just an added benifit that it turns a profit every now and then, but for the most part it hardly even makes a dime worth looking at. And thats with 70% of the market. I am not sure where and how these competitors are cutting corners to save cash and still distribute music for less or the same price and still plan on making a viable business. I think that ultimately the only online music stores that will survive are those that belong to much larger companies that dont have much at risk and are really only selling music to push other products. I assume that Sony will not bail out on their store, and i assume MS will push its store onward, but Real and all of these other smaller companies are just asking for pain by going this route. Thats just my opinoin. I feel they just entered the market for a different reason than Apple, who really just wanted to sell you an iPod and found a great way to do it.
I think on Apples part it would be wise to allow people to sell content that plays on othe iPod so long as it was not in WMA format as that would be the only real conflict of interests. If Real's service is made availible for the Mac and it doesnt completely suck then I wouldnt mind looking through their cataloge. I like competition, and Apple should as well.
However, here is the problem that I see with Reals strategy; how the hell is this thing going to be sustainable? Apple runs its music service as a way to sell iPods, its just an added benifit that it turns a profit every now and then, but for the most part it hardly even makes a dime worth looking at. And thats with 70% of the market. I am not sure where and how these competitors are cutting corners to save cash and still distribute music for less or the same price and still plan on making a viable business. I think that ultimately the only online music stores that will survive are those that belong to much larger companies that dont have much at risk and are really only selling music to push other products. I assume that Sony will not bail out on their store, and i assume MS will push its store onward, but Real and all of these other smaller companies are just asking for pain by going this route. Thats just my opinoin. I feel they just entered the market for a different reason than Apple, who really just wanted to sell you an iPod and found a great way to do it.
I guess I should have expected that the overwhelming majority of Macrumors readers would side with Apple on this one. It is clear to me that Real is attempting to ride on the coat tails of Apple's success with legal music downloads. However, what is unclear to me is why should Apple's response be considered any different than with what Microsoft has been doing all along with their monopoly? I don't think everyone should be so hasty in dismissing what Real is attempting to do; especially when you consider that the consumer is the one that stands to benefit the most from this (i.e. competitive enterprise=more choice=better products). My two cents.
They have posted the petition (same wording) again without the option to post comments. You can only sign your name to assert your agreement. You can't even see who has signed; when you click the link to view the signatures, it just shows how many people have "signed". When I looked last, the new petition had 19 signatures.
sfhc21 said:
you really think 99cents is expensive? im all for lowering prices, but i have no tolerance for whiners who think 99cents is too much. get a job.
signature #460 on Mirror page one said:
classic
I love this stuff. Now if only people would open their eyes to see the that they are getting fleeced by AOL and Microsoft, the world would be a better place!
Real can't possibly make any kind of profit off of this.
If I were Apple, I would let Real break the bank selling all these songs for $0.49 and after a few weeks when Real has lost a ton of $$$, I'd update the iPod to make it not compatible with Real's music and Real's service.
That would be a slap in the face, and might send Real under.
If I were Real, I would update the iPod's software, so you could no longer update your iPod from Apple. (assuming that this is possible)
Only time will tell who will win. heheh....
If I were Apple, I would let Real break the bank selling all these songs for $0.49 and after a few weeks when Real has lost a ton of $$$, I'd update the iPod to make it not compatible with Real's music and Real's service.
That would be a slap in the face, and might send Real under.
If I were Real, I would update the iPod's software, so you could no longer update your iPod from Apple. (assuming that this is possible)
Only time will tell who will win. heheh....
I COULD READ THIS STUFF ALL NIGHT IT IS SOOOOO FUNNY
"394. Ryan Apple, please block Real songs. Real says freedom of choice as long as you use a Windows PC, what choice is that? Apple please reverse engineer Real Player so I can play Real content in my QuickTime player, that would be freedom of choice. Long live Apple and the iTunes Music Store!
393. Jason Good Real sucks...Apple is the real choice....Go sell your crap to somone else..APPLE IS YEARS AHEAD OF ANYTHING YOU COULD THINK OF..LONG LIVE APPLE AND IT'S GREAT USER BASE...OH AND BY THE WAY NICE CHOICE IT ONLY RUNS ON WINDOWS...
392. Rob Glaser, CEO of Real Networks please send me the transcript, my network blocked access to my own petition. my email address is rglaser@real.com thanks
391. Nadia Vellemann Real is like Return of the Living Dead, you think it has died and gone away, but with a groan it comes towards you trying to suck the money from your wallet... Avoid at all costs, you have been warned... iTunes rocks, iPod rocks, Apple rocks, shame on you deceitful Real Corporation if your software was any good then you would have market share, but it isnt and never has been, even Windows Media Player is preferable either on a PC or a Mac !!!"
so funny number 392 lol
tom
"394. Ryan Apple, please block Real songs. Real says freedom of choice as long as you use a Windows PC, what choice is that? Apple please reverse engineer Real Player so I can play Real content in my QuickTime player, that would be freedom of choice. Long live Apple and the iTunes Music Store!
393. Jason Good Real sucks...Apple is the real choice....Go sell your crap to somone else..APPLE IS YEARS AHEAD OF ANYTHING YOU COULD THINK OF..LONG LIVE APPLE AND IT'S GREAT USER BASE...OH AND BY THE WAY NICE CHOICE IT ONLY RUNS ON WINDOWS...
392. Rob Glaser, CEO of Real Networks please send me the transcript, my network blocked access to my own petition. my email address is rglaser@real.com thanks
391. Nadia Vellemann Real is like Return of the Living Dead, you think it has died and gone away, but with a groan it comes towards you trying to suck the money from your wallet... Avoid at all costs, you have been warned... iTunes rocks, iPod rocks, Apple rocks, shame on you deceitful Real Corporation if your software was any good then you would have market share, but it isnt and never has been, even Windows Media Player is preferable either on a PC or a Mac !!!"
so funny number 392 lol
tom
Personally, I have no idea why those Apple zealots are afraid of a bit of competition in the music download field. The consumer can only be better of with the competition. If you truly believe iTMS is superior, you wouldn't care wether or not another legal-music-download service works with the ipod.
Plus, it is just hypocritical to cheer when Apple or an open-source group reverse-engineers a Microsoft proprietary protocol/fileformat, but start booing when Real reverse-engineers Apples proprietary DRM.
Plus, it is just hypocritical to cheer when Apple or an open-source group reverse-engineers a Microsoft proprietary protocol/fileformat, but start booing when Real reverse-engineers Apples proprietary DRM.
Here are all the signatures
You can view all the signatures here:
http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?r4apple
Thought you all might want to laugh it all up! hahahah
You can view all the signatures here:
http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?r4apple
Thought you all might want to laugh it all up! hahahah
autrefois
macrumors 65816
If the petition weren't sponsored by Real, I would sign it.
"Choice rocks!" Hee hee. I'm almost willing to refute my own arguments after hearing a slogan like that. What's next: Real is totally rad?
"Choice rocks!" Hee hee. I'm almost willing to refute my own arguments after hearing a slogan like that.
What's next: Real is totally rad? 
Liars
Now they're saying they killed the other petition becasue or spammer and virus concerns (due to mail addresses being displayed), which is a lie. So, we're supposed to join their faux, self-serving "revolution", but we're not allowed to know the truth? That theyu're getting bad press, and that this is blowing up in their face?
I'm all for open standards, and fair use (not the RIAA's definition, but free, as in beer), but Real's just doing this to stir up buzz, and they're playing dirty pool.
Build a better widget and people will come knocking, stir upp FUD, and you'll catch sh*t for it. You can place appropriate company names into slots above.
Now they're saying they killed the other petition becasue or spammer and virus concerns (due to mail addresses being displayed), which is a lie. So, we're supposed to join their faux, self-serving "revolution", but we're not allowed to know the truth? That theyu're getting bad press, and that this is blowing up in their face?
I'm all for open standards, and fair use (not the RIAA's definition, but free, as in beer), but Real's just doing this to stir up buzz, and they're playing dirty pool.
Build a better widget and people will come knocking, stir upp FUD, and you'll catch sh*t for it. You can place appropriate company names into slots above.
I agree that competition is great for consumers, and can only lead to better products and lower prices. However, I believe that the way Real has gone about adding iPod compatibility is wrong, if not illegal.
Personally, I think Apple should just watch quietly and let Real continue its promotion of iPod compatibility. In the end, I don't think it will have a significant impact on iTMS users or iPod sales. I had the opportunity to use the Real Music Store earlier today (on a PC), and I can't say it was a terrible experience. If not for the uncertainty of whether the songs purchased from Real will continue to work with the iPod in the near future, I don't see a problem with getting songs for half the price of the iTMS. What kind of knucklehead wouldn't prefer to buy songs for half the price? But, when the sale IS over, and Real and the iTMS are essentially competing on equal footing, I think that everyone who ran to Real for $0.49 songs would come back to the iTMS simply because pound for pound (or byte for byte) it is the superior music store.
I'm a social psychologist, and I've conducted this type of research on consumer behavior. It's like when you have a favorite brand of potato chips, but one week, the generic brand is on sale for only 1/2 the cost of the name brand. You might snatch up a bag or two of the cheaper brand simply because it is on sale. But once the sale is over, it's right back to the name brand because the overall quality is just plain better than the generic brand. Even if the non-sale cost of the generic brand is lower than the name brand, you stick with the name brand because it's worth the premium you pay.
For those of you who are hoping that Apple will nip Real's encroachment into iPod compatibility in the bud...at the time the newest generation iPod was announced, I recall some Apple executive claiming that there were features included on the iPod that weren't disclosed. I suspect that whenever these special features are announced, they will require a software update that will also include some type of block against Real's music files. My bet is that the desire to have these new features will outweigh any desire to maintain compatibility with Real's music store.
Personally, I think Apple should just watch quietly and let Real continue its promotion of iPod compatibility. In the end, I don't think it will have a significant impact on iTMS users or iPod sales. I had the opportunity to use the Real Music Store earlier today (on a PC), and I can't say it was a terrible experience. If not for the uncertainty of whether the songs purchased from Real will continue to work with the iPod in the near future, I don't see a problem with getting songs for half the price of the iTMS. What kind of knucklehead wouldn't prefer to buy songs for half the price? But, when the sale IS over, and Real and the iTMS are essentially competing on equal footing, I think that everyone who ran to Real for $0.49 songs would come back to the iTMS simply because pound for pound (or byte for byte) it is the superior music store.
I'm a social psychologist, and I've conducted this type of research on consumer behavior. It's like when you have a favorite brand of potato chips, but one week, the generic brand is on sale for only 1/2 the cost of the name brand. You might snatch up a bag or two of the cheaper brand simply because it is on sale. But once the sale is over, it's right back to the name brand because the overall quality is just plain better than the generic brand. Even if the non-sale cost of the generic brand is lower than the name brand, you stick with the name brand because it's worth the premium you pay.
For those of you who are hoping that Apple will nip Real's encroachment into iPod compatibility in the bud...at the time the newest generation iPod was announced, I recall some Apple executive claiming that there were features included on the iPod that weren't disclosed. I suspect that whenever these special features are announced, they will require a software update that will also include some type of block against Real's music files. My bet is that the desire to have these new features will outweigh any desire to maintain compatibility with Real's music store.
LMFAO!
Found a beauty of a comment on the very first page:
9. Real Obsolete Why is [BUFFERING...] Real [BUFFERING...] even still in busi[BUFFERING...]ness?
I couldn't have made a better comment on how lame RealPlayer is.
Found a beauty of a comment on the very first page:
9. Real Obsolete Why is [BUFFERING...] Real [BUFFERING...] even still in busi[BUFFERING...]ness?
I couldn't have made a better comment on how lame RealPlayer is.
Real's idea was great! Opening up the ability so that other songs could be put on the iPod is awesome, and that will sell more iPods.
The problem comes in when we consider what happens when you buy those songs...
Using iTunes, it's brilliantly easy to move your songs from iTunes to the iPod. And iTunes can not open new .m4p songs, so how is Real going to get the iPod to receive the songs?
Then there is also Real as a company. There's a reason it is one of the most hated companies. Bad software (not the programmer's fault, read the stories from the programmers and you can see management tied them like hogs) is only the tip of the iceberg.
Lastly, Real's attempts are simply puerile, full of half-truths and disinformation.
Wonderful idea, Intego style execution (any one remember Chicken Little and the Mac OS X virus?).
The problem comes in when we consider what happens when you buy those songs...
Using iTunes, it's brilliantly easy to move your songs from iTunes to the iPod. And iTunes can not open new .m4p songs, so how is Real going to get the iPod to receive the songs?
Then there is also Real as a company. There's a reason it is one of the most hated companies. Bad software (not the programmer's fault, read the stories from the programmers and you can see management tied them like hogs) is only the tip of the iceberg.
Lastly, Real's attempts are simply puerile, full of half-truths and disinformation.
Wonderful idea, Intego style execution (any one remember Chicken Little and the Mac OS X virus?).
My 10 cents
1. More stores supporting iPod is GOOD for users.
2. But Real is not for Mac users... so much for their "freedom of choice."
3. And I'd rather see Apple, not Real, decide when and HOW to open other stores to the iPod--and collect licensing fees.
4. Real will rope SOME people in with this short-term deal.
5. But soon the deal will end and Real will have taken a loss without REMOTELY catching up to Apple in unit sales OR profit OR mindshare OR the quality of the store/jukebox OR the size of the catalog.
6. Anyone who tried this promo and then wants to say "thanks but goodbye" and switch to iTunes can do so without missing a beat.
7. Meanwhile Real is giving the iPod lots of free advertising.
8. And articles in the press about ANY online music store or player--including the Real "battle"--are always free Apple publicity. That's what being the leader does. They ask whether Real can "catch up" to Apple. That's good mindshare for Apple, not so good for the rest.
9. In the end, Apple's lawyers--or programmers--will almost certainly defeat Harmony.
10. Some will be pissed at Apple, most won't care... and later on, Apple will open the iPod to other stores on THEIR terms, when THEY choose the moment.
11. Several iTunes competitors WILL survive--but not catch up to Apple--and Real might be one of them. Choice is good, competition is good (for features if nothing else), and anybody NOT using WMA is good. In the end, let them grab their niche if they can.
12. I've been burned enough by Real software. Others can try it. For me, no thanks, not even on my Windows box. I'll happily standardize on iTunes which had proven itself to me many times over. And which I KNOW won't later break on my future iPod.
1. More stores supporting iPod is GOOD for users.
2. But Real is not for Mac users... so much for their "freedom of choice."
3. And I'd rather see Apple, not Real, decide when and HOW to open other stores to the iPod--and collect licensing fees.
4. Real will rope SOME people in with this short-term deal.
5. But soon the deal will end and Real will have taken a loss without REMOTELY catching up to Apple in unit sales OR profit OR mindshare OR the quality of the store/jukebox OR the size of the catalog.
6. Anyone who tried this promo and then wants to say "thanks but goodbye" and switch to iTunes can do so without missing a beat.
7. Meanwhile Real is giving the iPod lots of free advertising.
8. And articles in the press about ANY online music store or player--including the Real "battle"--are always free Apple publicity. That's what being the leader does. They ask whether Real can "catch up" to Apple. That's good mindshare for Apple, not so good for the rest.
9. In the end, Apple's lawyers--or programmers--will almost certainly defeat Harmony.
10. Some will be pissed at Apple, most won't care... and later on, Apple will open the iPod to other stores on THEIR terms, when THEY choose the moment.
11. Several iTunes competitors WILL survive--but not catch up to Apple--and Real might be one of them. Choice is good, competition is good (for features if nothing else), and anybody NOT using WMA is good. In the end, let them grab their niche if they can.
12. I've been burned enough by Real software. Others can try it. For me, no thanks, not even on my Windows box. I'll happily standardize on iTunes which had proven itself to me many times over. And which I KNOW won't later break on my future iPod.
Confucious say... "me so confused"
I happen to agree with Real's statement. Of course the thinlly veiled intent behind it I am opposed to.
As a computer user... I want to be able to get whatever music I own (whether it is iTMS or cd's or something else) onto my iPod. I will not look down at a company or person (think dvdJohn with DeCSS) that has the same ideals.
However, I will never, ever support REAL. They are a bunch of scumbags... no matter how far it appears they have come.
I happen to agree with Real's statement. Of course the thinlly veiled intent behind it I am opposed to.
As a computer user... I want to be able to get whatever music I own (whether it is iTMS or cd's or something else) onto my iPod. I will not look down at a company or person (think dvdJohn with DeCSS) that has the same ideals.
However, I will never, ever support REAL. They are a bunch of scumbags... no matter how far it appears they have come.
Some_Big_Spoon said:
Actually this message is displayed by any petition on petitiononline.com when the signatures are hidden. This is not something Real put on there (well they did but only because they have chosen to not display the signatures).
Yes Yes Yes...Competition is a very good thing...
However, in this case, the competition isn't very good compared to ITMS or the iPod.
However, in this case, the competition isn't very good compared to ITMS or the iPod.
Arcady said:
Wouldn't that be just like what microsoft does with windows by severely restricting, slowing down or breaking the functionality of non-microshaft software on windows ?
Apple is sinking lower now...
Real...ugh
I'm getting my first iPod later this week, and I am more than happy to support Apple and use iTMS exclusively for online content. But I'm just a casual music listener and would never have been able to rationalize the cost of an iPod at all had it not been for the Cram and Jam promotion.
I say let Real do their thing, it will fail, and then we'll all be one more step closer to them disappearing. I've always hated Real and would never even consider using or buying anything from them, because their software has always been absolutely horrible.
I do agree that competition and lower prices are good for the consumers, but Real has went about it all wrong...and, well...it's Real.. ugh
I'm getting my first iPod later this week, and I am more than happy to support Apple and use iTMS exclusively for online content. But I'm just a casual music listener and would never have been able to rationalize the cost of an iPod at all had it not been for the Cram and Jam promotion.
I say let Real do their thing, it will fail, and then we'll all be one more step closer to them disappearing. I've always hated Real and would never even consider using or buying anything from them, because their software has always been absolutely horrible.
I do agree that competition and lower prices are good for the consumers, but Real has went about it all wrong...and, well...it's Real.. ugh