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Apple Rejects RealNetwork's Pleas

Posted by michael on from the suck-on-this dept.

TheJoKell writes "In a followup to a previous article, Apple has denied a meeting with Rob Glaser, Chief Executive of Real Networks, to discuss an alliance between the two companies. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Steve Jobs said, 'The iPod already works with the No. 1 music service in the world, and the iTunes Music Store works with the No. 1 digital-music player in the world. The No. 2s are so far behind already. Why would we want to work with No. 2?'"

20 of 659 comments (clear)

  1. Good... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Real offered Apple zero in return, they just wanted to free ride on the success of the iPod. At least the HP deal will sell iPods and direct people to the iTMS.

    1. Re:Good... by joe_bruin · · Score: 5, Funny

      "The No. 2s are so far behind already. Why would we want to work with No. 2?"

      funny, that's why we say when people ask us to port our software to MacOS.

    2. Re:Good... by JPriest · · Score: 5, Insightful

      That and Real has made a name for itself as a spyware company. Why should a company with a valid business model go out of it's way to help a company with such poor business practices? Fuck real.

      --
      Saying Java is nice because it works on all OS's is like saying that anal sex is nice because it works on all genders.
    3. Re:Good... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful
      lol

      Its not even bowing down, its a partnership. Real is synonymous with poorly written software, nagware 'message centers' most people cant turn off, messing up file associations, hiding the free product on the website, etc. These guys are one step removed from penis pump spammers.

      Apple's approach is user-centric and user friendly. Real hates the user and does *everything* it can to fool you buy their product when you just need the free one. They'll do anything to take over your system. They'll push 'message center' ads for a penny an ad.

      In short: fuck Real. The sooner they go bankrupt the better off everyone is. There is room for a good company with a nice media player out there and Real has shown itself over the years that they are not this company.

    4. Re:Good... by 1arkhaine · · Score: 5, Insightful

      You realise of course that in the last six months or so, the ipod has had a 909% increase in sales? That amounts to some hefty profits, my friend.

  2. humptf, jobs is getting wrong again :P by protomala · · Score: 5, Insightful

    So, if microsoft says: why would we work with #2 and stop making office for macs? And if IBM says: why would we work with the #2 processos archeteture (powerpc)? ANd if users say: why would we buy those macs that are the #3 (linux is surpassing macs)? Man! Can't we please leran to get a bit humble?

    1. Re:humptf, jobs is getting wrong again :P by MBCook · · Score: 5, Interesting
      The Mac still provides sales for Microsoft. PowerPCs provide value to IBM in many ways (low power, something to use against Intel for lower prices, etc).

      Real is nobody. I don't know ANYONE that has half a clue about computers that is even ambililent about Real. They all dislike (up through hate) Real. Real doesn't have a large customer base. Real doesn't have lots of users who like them. Real doesn't have a good reputation.

      To agree to this would be like Bank of America partnering up with a local loan-shark (who has, supposedly reformed and is no longer crooked and evil). It doesn't do anything for Bank of America except lower their reputation.

      If someone worthy came to Apple, I think they would have been more likely to say yes. If Amazon had said "let us integrate iTMS into our website" that would help Apple. If Barns & Noble had done it, that would provide value. If Walmart, Blockbuster, or even Sam Goodey had asked, there would be value there. Those compares are at least respected by many people. They have many returning customers that they would provide.

      As far as I'm concerned, Real is a company that is up to it's head in quicksand and covered in Ebola. They are reaching for ANYTHING to stay alive (MS settlements, partnering with Apple, who knows what tomarrow) but no reasonable company wants to help them because they would then be associated with them (catch Ebola in my example).

      For Apple, Real would be more of a paracite than something that could provide a symbiotic relationship for Apple.

      Shrugging off one of the companies I listed above would be one thing, and your argument would have legitimacy. But since it's Real, I can't believe your point.

      --
      Comment forecast: Bits of genius surrounded by a sea of mediocrity.
    2. Re:humptf, jobs is getting wrong again :P by CherniyVolk · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Real is nobody. I don't know ANYONE that has half a clue about computers that is even ambililent about Real. They all dislike (up through hate) Real. Real doesn't have a large customer base. Real doesn't have lots of users who like them. Real doesn't have a good reputation.

      I don't think this is true. I also think that Real should be cut some slack. Let's see for a moment, currently on my Linux box, I have QuickTime, Windows Media Player and RealPlayer. Of those three, only one is native, RealPlayer.

      I like Real for their generous gift. I also like Apple for their support, don't get me wrong. This battle is sorta like two respectful companies going at each other.

      But, when you say noone likes Real, well, maybe I don't "like" them, but I'm certainly grateful for being the first of the three to even consider my platform.

  3. A rotten apple in the barrel by t0qer · · Score: 5, Insightful

    A rotten apple in the barrel spoils the bunch they say.

    Real has been under a lot of scrutiny (especially here on /.) over their "free" player that's hard to find on their site. The "Hidden" options in the installer that you have to scroll down too see, and gouging stream providers on using their tools.

    I think Jobs just didn't want to soil apples image.

  4. Re:They should really team up with the no 1 by PetWolverine · · Score: 5, Insightful

    What, exactly, does Microsoft have to offer in this area?

    WMA? Sure, it's the "standard" for all the other services--whose combined sales pale in comparison to Apple's. It's also the "standard" for the other players, whose--again, combine--sales pale in comparison to the iPod.

    What about Microsoft's own music download service? As yet, it's vaporware. When and if it does come out, you can bet it won't hold a candle to the ease of use and quality of service of the iTMS. It will also use WMA--see above. By the time MS is ready to launch it, though, it's likely that most non-iTMS music download services will be failing, and the remaining ones will be consolidating.

    Sorry, but in this case Apple has out-Microsofted Microsoft.

    --
    I found the meaning of life the other day, but I had write-only access.
  5. Not rejected yet by orthogonal · · Score: 5, Funny

    Apple Rejects RealNetwork's Pleas

    Actually, the headline here overstates it. Technically, Apple has not yet rejected Real's pleas.

    Apple sent the following message to Rob Glaser:

    "In response to your request of the 15th, Apple's categorical response is [BUFFERING] ... [BUFFERING]."

    --
    Opinions on the Twiddler2 hand-held keyboard?
  6. Not Arrogance, Just Smart by Babbster · · Score: 5, Insightful
    I see people are accusing Steve and Apple of being arrogant in turning down a partnership with Real. I'd say it's just a wise move. Virtually all of Apple's press in terms of iPod and iTunes has been good (apart from a few technical glitches that haven't slowed down sales at all). Real, on the other hand, is perceived by most users to be a lousy program from lousy people who love nothing better than to hammer folks' desktops with garbage. The only reason anyone installs Real is because some sites insist on using their proprietary streaming system (in my case, it's for Phil Hendrie's site), and never because they have a desire to use Real's software for anything else like MP3s, MPGs, etc. Add into that the fact that Real brings nothing to the table that Apple doesn't already have, and there's no reason for Steve and company to get in bed with them.

    In short, teaming up with Real can only hurt Apple, or at least the perception of Apple.

  7. Market Share by santiago · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I'm sure this page will fill up soon enough with near-flames about the arrogance of Apple and how it lost them the computer market last time and so on. What most of the people making those comments don't realize is that the Mac never had the market share that the iPod does. Apple really does dominate this market, and can afford to act like Microsoft for several years, at least. (That Microsoft is intent on entering the market soon does not necessarily mean they will be successful at taking it over, as the XBox has shown.)

    Licensing to Real would have two negative effects that Apple should rightly be concerned about. First, this would at best steal sales that would otherwise have gone to the iTMS, and, while the bulk of the profits come from the iPod itself, the iTMS can only be helped by increased traffic. (In particular, economies of scale are probably rather important--certainly with respect to the infrastructure, possibly the underlying music licensing as well.) Secondly, Real has a long reputation as obnoxious crap that works poorly and pushes ads at the user all the time. Associating with them could taint Apple's image, which is a valuable commodity. If Real's store was anything other than flawless, it could damage the perception of how easy to use the iPod is, hurting long-term sales and brand image.

  8. Re:Jobs's mood swings by borschski · · Score: 5, Insightful

    So....Apple is hammered on for years barely hanging on. Jobs comes back, stabilizes the company, gets it moving again, delivers a great *nix OS and a sh&tload of great apps (iPhoto, iDVD, iTunes, Final Cut, iMovie) plus the most lusted after digital audio player coupled with an online music store that hits the sweet spot, is getting great buzz and people love it.

    Finally....Apple has a competitive advantage in *something* and you get after him for being arrogant!?!

    Oh pleez...

  9. Re:Mod me down if you must, but... by eclectro · · Score: 5, Funny


    Buffering.....Buffering....PWNED....Buffering... .

    --
    Take the cheese to sickbay, the doctor should see it as soon as possible - B'Elanna Torres, "Learning Curve"
  10. Re:I WAS thinking this was a good idea by Dixie_Flatline · · Score: 5, Informative

    This is an excellent comment! It was just as good when *I* posted it YESTERDAY on the original thread here.

    Couldn't you have at least tried putting a different sig on it?

  11. They turned a profit. by jared_hanson · · Score: 5, Informative

    According to their quarterly report, which was released earlier this week, the iTunes music store did make a small profit. I don't think details were released as to how much of a profit, but they did say it was.

    Presumably, the more they can grow the user base of the store, the more money they can make on it. Allowing Real to set up shop in their turf with their tools would only likely decrease the user base of their store.

    Real just wants a free ride, but Apple wisely won't give it to them.

    --
    -- Fighting mediocrity one bad post at a time.
  12. Re:Profits? Umm sorry but no.... by JohnsonWax · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Pay attention, boy. As several other posts around here have mentioned:

    Apple announced earnings last Wednesday (4/14) after market close. In the conference call, Apple announced that iTMS made money. Apple's CFO announced that iTMS made money. Not some reporter - an Apple executive. Not 3 months ago in the Journal, 2 days ago in a conference call with analysts.

    From MacNN:

    "Responding to iTunes song pricing, Apple said that the higher-than expected pricing on some albums was due to the disparity in pricing from different labels, but the the "vast majority" of the albums remain at $9.99 and songs remain at $0.99. Apple said the iTunes Music store showed a small profit in the March quarter and looked promising for the company. The company said it expected to provide an update on the iTunes Music Sales and the Pepsi promotion closer to the First Anniversary of the iTunes Store (end of April). "

  13. Re:jobs is stating the obvious by 2nd+Post! · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Hey, it's your money and your 'utility' whether the iPod or the Zen suits you better.

    Hold an iPod, and then hold a Zen, and make your own decision. The iPod isn't winning awards because it's more expensive than the Zen, smaller capacity than the Zen, or uglier than the Zen, it's winning awards and accolades because it's user experience is better (weight, UI, size, integration, usability).

    If those things don't matter to you... than they don't matter to you.

    They just happen to matter to a lot of the population ^^

    --

    GPL Deconstructed
  14. Re:Mod me down if you must, but... by antic · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Exactly. Does this mean that the number one group of Office applications doesn't have to work with the number two operating system?

    Bill, show Steve how arrogance works...

    --
    'Thats they exact same thing a banana wrench monkey.'