Google Chrome now bundled with RealPlayer

Chrome is now included as an option when installing RealPlayer.

(Credit: Screenshot by Stephen Shankland/CNET)

Google wanted to release version 1.0 of Chrome in part so it could bundled with other products, and now one such deal has arrived.

The option to install Chrome is checked by default, which no doubt will help some people to add the software without really deliberating much on its merits or drawbacks. However, the Chrome option shows on a separate stage of installation, so it's not hidden on some invisible "advanced options" section off the beaten track of the process.

Contrary to its practice with most of its products and services, Google is actively promoting Chrome with advertisements on YouTube, Facebook, and some technology sites.

Update 8:34 a.m. PST: During the Chrome uninstallation process I underwent to test out the Real bundling deal, after Google opens a page in Internet Explorer asking for feedback on why I removed Chrome, Google also promotes its Google Toolbar for IE. "Get your favorite Google Chrome features in Internet Explorer with Google Toolbar," the page suggests.

(Via Google Operating System.)

(Credit: Screenshot by Stephen Shankland/CNET)

[skillingssucks]

Who uses RealPlayer anymore?

[DnetMHZ]

Pretty sure I haven't installed Real Player this DECADE.

[umbrae]

Usually people that don't understand about bundling and click yes to everything.

[GraphiteCube]

Why should a media player bundles web browser? It is unfair to other browsers! Is Google trying to monopolize the web browser market through different software installation? What will EU do?

Sue Google, ******* EU!

[knowles2]

Now Google and the EU are friends, Microsoft with their arrogrants when in front the EU judges made enemies and they have focus their energy on punishing Microsoft at every turn. Through I think Microsoft leant their lesson.

[MadLyb]

I am so tired of bundling.

If I wanted your toolbar, or your browser, or your music software. I would download and install it myself.

Bah!

[ducttape36]

real player? oh no.... does this mean chrome will also come bundled with malware and useless resource-hogging toolbars/apps?

[umbrae]

Chrome already is. Well more Spyware than malware, but it does behave in many of the way that caused people to abandon RealPlayer to begin with. Personally, I think they are perfect for each other.

[umbrae]

2 useless Spyware packages in one bundle. Another reason not to use Chrome. It will not be long before Google finds itself fighting the same anti-trust fights as MS.

[slickuser]

how is this different from Microsoft shipping internet explorer with their product?

I don't see any difference.

[t8]

The difference is that Windows comes with PCs whether we like it or not, and so by bundling they are forcing products on consumers whom many will just use as they are the default. Whereas, anything that you download whether that be a bundle or a single product is done so by choice.

[gggg sssss]

@t8 you could always spend 50 percent more and buy a mac. No IE

[myles taylor]

I guess everyone will scream bloody murder just like they did when Apple bundled Safari with iTunes.

Microsoft has been doing it for ages but Apple and Google are supposed to be "better" and don't sink to that level.

[msjonker]

I'm so sick of this bundling crap. If I want something, I'll download it.

If they must bundle this stuff, I wish it was disabled by default. The only reason they are enabling it by default is to get the people who aren't paying attention, which is shady. Viruses/Adware also target people who aren't paying attention. See any similarities?

[lacykemp]

Hi everyone,
Lacy from RealNetworks here. I'll just quickly address a few of the statements above.
First of all, RealPlayer is not spyware or malware. Our latest version (version 11) has actually won acclaim from several tech reviewers (Ars Technica, Business Week among others).
RealPlayer gets downloaded a million times a day, so actually, lots of people still use RealPlayer.
And, to answer Graphite's question about why we bundled with a browser, one of RealPlayer's best features is its ability to download videos off the internet, and being able to do that in Chrome is now an added bonus.

Here are links to the Ars Technica and Business Week articles.
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/ByteOfTheApple/blog/archives/2007/11/latest_realplay.html
http://arstechnica.com/old/content/2007/06/first-look-realplayer-11-beta.ars

[skillingssucks]

Yeah, sure lots of people use RealPlayer. (rolls eyes)

[profdavidson]

Its the spyware that realplayer installs which downloads itself over and over in order to gain downloads.

Lol, this is such obvious BS. Realplayer got about 100k last week, which matches the total amount of retards that visit download.com

[knightracer]

I think the most insidious thing that google bundles is the the Google Update that is installed by default and set to automatically run.

[rucknrun]

This is the same thing as offerring Itunes with Quicktime. I don't know how many times I have installed stupid Itunes when I wanted just Quicktime.

[knowles2]

They do offer a separate download without itunes, just click the right one, is not hard.

[G-Skaf]

Bundling would not be so much of a problem if people actually read what their computer is telling them instead of just frantically clicking "Next" buttons to finally get to the prize. Yes, opt-out install options are bad, but it's not just the companies' fault.

[t8]

Chrome is the best browser out there right now. When I go back to Firefox it seems clunky and IE is not even worth mentioning. Not into Real Player but not into Media Player. I prefer VLC or DIVX and most websites use a flash based player to stream video anyway. In short, I think web apps are best, and if I have to use software, then open source is my choice. So I am not to sure what need real Player meets, but I do think Chrome is great. And for the bundling issue, well how else is Google suppose to compete with Microsoft with browsers if Microsoft bundles there's with Windows? Even then, bundling with software will still not level the playing compared to having your product bundled as the default on 90% of computers. Therein lies the reason why intervention is necessary. A level playing field is best for consumers, innovation, and business.

[monkeyfun14]

Apple bundles safari with MAC OSX so how is this any different?

Should we all go back to picking up CD's to get on the web?

You honestly expect a company to promote a competitors product? Thats like dell giving a option for hp monitors.

[profdavidson]

Look you moron Lacy:
http://www.download.com/RealPlayer/3000-13632_4-10073040.html
Cnet, which is powered by USER RESPONSE mostly HATES REALPLAYER.

You must download at least half of those million times yourself.

Realplayer is sluggish, it consumes system resources, it looks for any excuse to install tons of bundled crap, and IT MAKES IT RIDICULOUSLY HARD TO SAY "NO" TO ALL YOUR SPAM, SPYWARE, AND WORTHLESS ADD-ONS.

I spend AN HOUR on the phone with one of your moron representatives trying to cancel a subscription to the realplayer media service. The representative, like the crapware, DID NOT KNOW WHEN NO MEANT NO. You have to go through at least 5 pages of junk and spam before you get to the end of the installation, and then you have to disable all the HIDDEN PROCESSES that realplayer installs anyway!

DO NOT, I REPEAT DO NOT USE REAL PLAYER, OR YOUR COMPUTER WILL BE IN "REAL" DEEP $H!T.

Real ALTERNATIVE can handle the 2 websites that still use their crappy codet:
http://www.download.com/Real-Alternative/3000-2139_4-10698783.html

THINK ABOUT IT: Why is there a whole alternative made for it if its not complete trash?

[gggg sssss]

Just came across a website that STILL uses real player. THEYare the morons. NOBODY cares about real player.

Wonder what the real guys are paying Google?

[Backspace23]

No worse than iTunes coming with Quicktime by default, and then Apple update installing Safari when you're not looking.

I've banished both Quicktime and RealPlayer from my system, replacing them with Real Alternative, and Quicktime Alternative. The ultimate hilarity? I was trying to get video on a site that uses Real (CBC), and the official client wasn't cooperating, and was so packed with ads there was little room for the video. I installed Real alternative and it was a ton easier than the official client.

[queticomn]

Meh at Real Player, Meh at Spygle Crome.

Yay, for Winamp, Songbird and Zoom Player Professional which is available for download at softpedia. Really Really good player.

[arcadiodjc]

If you download Realplayer, even if you uncheck google chrome you will get an empty file, in your computer that if you want to get rid of it, there is not way to delete the google chrome empty file.