RealNetworks' Glaser has choice words for Zune strategy
Rob Glaser, chairman and CEO of RealNetworks, seemed a little miffed with Microsoft during the company's Thursday second-quarter earnings call with investors.
When it came time to discuss RealNetworks' music strategy, Glaser opined that Microsoft's decision to shift gears and brand both the Zune portable music player and service, which could hurt its former partners like RealNetworks, is unwise. Well, actually, his words seemed more like the business world equivalent of snapping, "Fine! We didn't need you anyway."
Glaser said, "We think this a case where our technology competitors, in this case specifically Microsoft, have literally thrown the baby out with the bath water."
Therefore, he added, the move gives RealNetworks "a great opportunity to partner with a number of other companies who make excellent hardware and who are open to integrating tightly with our Rhapsody software platform."
So there, Microsoft.
Erica Ogg is a CNET News reporter who covers Apple, HP, Dell, and other PC makers, as well as the consumer electronics industry. She's also one of the hosts of CNET News' Daily Podcast. In her non-work life, she's a history geek, a loyal Dodgers fan, and a mac-and-cheese connoisseur. E-mail Erica. 
