SAN FRANCISCO--Rob Glaser has made his peace with Microsoft's Bill Gates. Now, the RealNetworks chief executive is turning up the rhetoric against another technology icon: Apple Computer CEO Steve Jobs.
At the Digital Living Conference here on Monday, Glaser told a packed hotel ballroom that Jobs & Co.'s refusal to make the iPod compatible with music services other than Apple's iTunes was "pigheadedness." Glaser also said that Apple's unwillingness to cooperate with other online music vendors promotes piracy of copyrighted materials and will eventually draw the wrath of consumers.
These are heady times for Glaser and his Internet multimedia company, which announced in October that it had reached a favorable settlement with Microsoft on the $1 billion lawsuit RealNetworks filed in 2003.
Under the deal, Microsoft agreed to pay $460 million in cash to settle the antitrust claims and will also pay $301 million to support RealNetworks' music and game efforts. In addition Microsoft will promote RealNetworks' Rhapsody subscription music service on its MSN Web business.
Perhaps Jobs unknowingly helped RealNetworks and Microsoft find common ground. In 2004, Glaser appealed to Jobs to make the popular iPod compatible with other music services. Microsoft has long sought to strike partnerships in the digital-music arena to help it challenge Apple's enormous lead in the sector.
Jobs responded by telling his shareholders that a deal with RealNetworks simply was "not worth it." Glaser didn't let that stop him. In July 2004, RealNetworks released a version of its music download service compatible with Apple's iPod--without the permission of Jobs & Co. Apple has called it "hacker tactics" but hasn't filed a lawsuit.
Following Glaser's presentation he was asked whether Apple's unwillingness to allow others access to the iPod, the hot-selling digital music player, was hurting RealNetworks.
"We think Apple Computer, and Steve personally, are making a mistake by making the software proprietary," Glaser said, noting that RealNetworks would continue catering to users of Macintosh computers. "There's no reason we should penalize Apple customers for Steve's pigheadeness."
In an interview following his presentation, Glaser called for the music industry to pressure Jobs into opening up the iPod to other online music vendors.
"Steve makes for a good pinata because he's taken a position against interoperability," Glaser said. These people "should be pressuring him to change because they have leverage over him. Apple being on its own in term of interoperability makes piracy more compelling for consumers. Because, hey, if I take all my MP3s from this illegal site or that illegal site, they'll work on the iPod or anything else. Whereas if I buy them legitimately, they'll only work at one place."
Glaser said that consumers could blame Apple if they can't hook up their music with their other digital content should such convergence become popular.
Glaser was at the conference to debut a revamped Rhapsody digital music service, which will let people search and listen to its catalog of songs from a Web page, instead of requiring them to download software. RealNetworks is hoping that an overhauled Rhapsody site will help it stand apart from competitors, which often require users to download software before they begin listening to music.
In an effort to draw attention to the site and compete with iTunes, RealNetworks is allowing visitors to stream 25 songs for free.
"I don't think anyone offers anything freer than 25 (songs),"
Glaser told the audience following his speech. "We're the cost and price leader."
But can RealNetworks make money with such a strategy?
"We already know from having done six months of work that the economics of getting consumers to use free services are good," Glaser said.
Among the strategies available, RealNetworks can sell ads to the site or steer customers to premium services that company could charge for.
"Google had a ubiquitous strategy before a monetary strategy and last I heard it worked out for them," Glaser said.
Seriously... what a baby. Imagine Apple wanting to build a product that encourages the purchase of their own hardware, which happens to be pulling the big dollars and keeping stock price high. If Glaser could do the same thing he would, or face the wrath of his shareholders.
if we remember history the last time Jobs made a system with their own software and specific hardware...oh yeah the Mac which led to Jobs leaving Apple. What goes up comes on down too.
Didn't Glaser [practically] say the same thing a few months ago? Get over it already. If Apple is going to 'open up' their format, they'll do it on their time table, not because of Glaser's whining.
I don't have a big problem with Apple's iPod policy. It keeps things simple, iTunes is still the easiest jukebox software to use, their prices are competitive and I know who to contact if their is a problem. No finger pointing, just contact Apple.
Mr. Glaser, if Apple were to open the iPod, who's software would we have to use to load our iPods with Real's music? Real's? Like I need or want another program to learn... Get a life or better yet, come up with a product people actually want to buy!
Have no intention of paying for any of this lower quality DRM encumbered over price crap Apple, Real, and Napster are selling.
Apparently ear bud make it a lot easier to damage ones hearing. All these people have damaged their ears and are content to listen mediocre audio quality because they can no longer tell the difference.
Most people can't tell a great difference between music from a CD and music from an MP3 encoded at 128Kbps. It's one of the things that makes the MP3 format work. I can encode my entire CD collection, put it on a player I can carry with me and listen to music that sounds almost exactly the same.
Earbuds don't damage the ear. Listening at high volume for extended periods of time damages the ear.
I don't know if you noticed or not, but when you purchase music from Apple, it is in AAC format. AAC is far superior to MP3. AAC at 128kbps is indistinguishable from the actual CD recording. I've ripped my CDs in AAC format because it sounds much better than MP3. Besides, if you pay for CDs, why not pay for AACs? Try it out and then comment on your experience.
I have refered non-iPod owners to iTunes when they couldn't get their iRiver to work. I have even used it with my mother's Rio. While I have Realplayer on my Mac, if they don't get on the common format bandwagon, they will fall to the wayside like Sony's non- MP3 player.
the site is great. :-) I purchase a lot of my music there. Just goes to show what can be done if you dump the DRM garbage and get back to providing a quality product at a good price. Jobs and Glaser could both take lessons from John Buckman.
real player is probably the worst media player out there. i absolutely hate it. its an ad-tangled resource hog that is just ANNOYING...it seems the annoying part comes straight from the man who runs it.
iTunes is defiantely the best media player and i hope the iPod remains exclusive to it.
I used to have real installed on all my computers but when i used Real(Very Rairly) then quit out of real i had to restart my computer so i say screw real real is the one who is piggheaded. NOT apple.
I've been an active consumer enjoying computer audio for some 15 years now and all I can ever remember was Real Networks holding their hand out and charging people for anything they could randomly think of...including my breath if they could fathom a way.
I personally don't feel a need for playing music outside of my computer but admire Apple for innovation, winning strategy and a clear mindset for the future.
Glaser is a whinny @#@%$ who has obviously hindered Real Networks. Somebody throw him off the board, duct tape his mouth and throw him in a closet somewhere. Maybe give him some cheese and crackers to go with his whine?
I honestly don't know where people get off saying that itunes is the best music player around.
It's clunky and cumbersome, and is only good for buying music... it's basically a giant playlist that, in it's basic, default form, takes up most of your screen. There's absolutely nothing special about the way it plays music, except for the idiotic 'party mode' which is just a glorified shuffle (like how the ipod shuffle is a glorified lack-of-a-screen).
RealPlayer USED to be the worst media player out there. It has gained ALOT of technological ground since it has been based off of the open-source Helix (I think?) software, which is an OSS media player often included with Linux distributions.
It is the ONLY player I have seen that saves a variable length of a stream, DVR style, for rewinding. As such I think it is one of the best streaming applications availible currently.
This moron just got a bunch of cash from Microsloth. He now wants the leader in the MP3 arena to slow down and let him catch up...take your cash and invent something better to compete. Quit looking for another handout!
This is not leadership...it is whining like a little bi#$t.
Currently their Web site does not allow Mac and Linux users to purchase and download music because it relies on the Windows Rhapsody client for that functionality. RealNetworks will not comment on when, or even if, a Mac/Linux client may be available.
Yeah, I know, Mac/Linux have small market share. Just like Real.
used to have real installed on all my computers but when i used Real(Very Rairly) then quit out of real i had to restart my computer so i say screw real real is the one who is piggheaded. NOT apple.
Real just switch from using that stupid Rhapsody client from a web based solution which supports Windows, Linux and Mac see <a class="jive-link-external" href="http://home.real.com/product/help/rhapweb/en/system_requirements.htm" target="_newWindow">http://home.real.com/product/help/rhapweb/en/system_requirements.htm</a>
and see the News.com article <a class="jive-link-external" href="http://news.com.com/RealNetworks+moves+Rhapsody+to+the+Web/2100-1027_3-5980908.html?tag=st.ref.goo" target="_newWindow">http://news.com.com/RealNetworks+moves+Rhapsody+to+the+Web/2100-1027_3-5980908.html?tag=st.ref.goo</a>
I must add that I don't like Real Networks and their stupid CEO but I had to bring up the facts.
Glaser is being emotional and entirely misses the point. The sole purpose of the iTunes Music Store is to sell iPods. That is all it's ever been intended to do and every decision Apple has made regarding it supports that purpose. As a revenue model on its own, it is simply not worth it - Apple makes very little money on the music sold. Opening it to other players and other applications dilutes and defeats that purpose, and that is why it hasn't happened. Introducing other arguements and issues is politics and debate tactics, intended to muddy the waters and stir up response.
So I was curious and tried it today. I have to listen to the music from the web site and pay a subscription fee. Unfortunately, Microsoft's $400 million will keep them in business longer.
Where Real is going with Rhapsody is a huge step in the right direction. The user doesn't need any bloated software -just a browser. Also,for the first time, I can access a legal music subscription service from within Linux. Now, if only they'd also port the ability to download music and burn cds.
"The user doesn't need any bloated software -just a browser." My lord, I sure hope you aren't referring to the biggest piece of bloat on the planet, Internet Explorer! And if you were, what in the heck are you using to PLAY the music with? Hmmm? That's right, a SECOND piece of software! If you can prove to me that it's MORE efficient and LESS bloated to use TWO software packages than one, then I'll listen to you. Until then, let us review basic addition. Using two programs to manage your entire music experience is using one more program than is necessary. Next!
Consumers don't want choice. They want a good product.
The iPod and iTunes are fantastic, user-centric products. They're winning fairly: on merits. Word of mouth would still fetch Apple a healthy market-share because the products are so good.
Glaser probably gets this. But if he admits it, he admits Real is basically worthless.
Build a better experience. I'll buy it. But the idea of Real or MS being the ones to that to market is laughable.
I mean, this is the company that began the personal computer revolution with the Apple II, and then the Macintosh, only to be undermined by Microsoft with Windows. It was on track in the early 80s for the market share that Microsoft now enjoys, and got blindsided because they asked Microsoft to develop a spreadsheet program for their then prototype Mac. Decades later, Apple finds another niche with the iPod, and once again, competitors start whining because their product isn't as good. Furthermore, are Real media files not proprietary? Are you not locked into using RealPlayer everytime you encounter one? Does Windows Media Player play QuickTime files? Um no. Microsoft, Real, and especially Sony are completely pissed because a company they had written off as a lost-cause years ago is now out performing them. These companies need to stop whining and let Apple have their long-deserved time in the spotlight, which always seems to be taken away from them by competitors' underhanded tactics.
I dont think I could have said it any better. Apple just keeps inventing and innovating. Wish some of these other companies would get a clue and do the same...
It's all about the software. Whoever has a better solution gets the sympathy from the consumer. Real started sucking when they started questionable "marketing" tactics with their downloads.
The argument that people are going to steal songs if they can't get music off Apple's store is just "pig-headedness!"
When was the last time you could not rip music from a CD that you BOUGHT and load that into any MP3 player?
Oh, we want convenience? In that case, BUY AN iPOD and use the iTunes Music Store. Hello, news flash: Convenience costs money! Depending on one's budget, there's a many different iPods to choose from and the cheapest one ain't that bad!
He is sitting over 600 Million that he got from MS, he is not desperate. If MS can be sued for keeping certain portions of its server communication protocols closed. Apple should be sued for keeping its devices COMPLETELY closed.
You can get Itunes music on ANY MP3 player. You just download the song, burn it onto a CD using ITUNES, this removes the copy protection, then copy the song onto your computer, it will now be .AIFF format. From there use a program like AUDACITY to convert it to .MP3 or any other format and upload it you your portable music player. Any song from ITUNES must be burned to a CD to remove copy protection. It is that simple...This guy don't know what he is talking about
Only Apple's competitors would benefit from an open iPod/ iTunes Store. Consumers wouldn't necessarily benefit as it would surely bring confusion, inconsistancies and problems. Apple has been hugely successful because it has control over the 'iPod experience' from usage to purchasing and that conrol offers value. iTunes pricing is reasonable and the selection is fairly large plus you can buy and (legally) rip most anything else you may want.
I don't think many iPod owners are complaining they cannot use Real or any other competing service. It's mostly people with competing players or stores who wish things were different.
If they where to open itunes or ipod then apple would be forced to raise the price on every thing music to including the songs. in stead of them being 99¢ they would be like $1.50 or cds instead of them being about $9.99 they would be about $14.99 or more!!!
Rob Glaser is just being arrogant, selfish, egotistical, and above all, a sore LOSER. He is doing whatever he can to gain markershare, even if to put down a superior technology and market leader. Obviously, the reason is that AAC is a much better format and the others don't support it. AAC is part of the MPEG4 format. If the others would fully support the same format, maybe things might be different. REAL is on their way downhill fast and Rob Glaser knows it and he is trying to save face with the shareholders and end losers that use Real.
Being stuck with a better audio format? Hmmmmm.... MP3 is older, lesser quality audio format for compressed audio. For those that didn't know this, RIC, you can put mp3's on the iPod, just not with these other music player DRM crap.
Get over it. iPod is superior product and they have approximately 80% marketshare of the player market. Notice I didn't say "mp3" player market. BTW, you can now play high quality videos with H.264 on the later generation iPods.
When I bought my iPod, I, like everyone I know that owns one (and dozens of my friends own iPods), did some research. I, and all my friends, preferred the SOUND QUALITY of Dolby Labs AAC encoding over that of MS's proprietary CODEC. I know that the Dell/Sony/Insert Name of All Other Failed Competitor's Here sycophants can't believe this, but the elitist attitudes that they hold when venting anti iPod garbage is exactly that. Garbage. Every iPod purchaser I know (including my poor, non technical mother), read the boxes, read the reviews, went to stores, listened, looked, touched and used an iPod (along with whatever else that was on the shelf), then purchased the iPod. Sorry to burst your bubble, but it's terribly arrogant of you to assume that you're smarter than the people who disagree with your conclusions. Carry on,
Do you think 80% of the market cares? the iPod is the number one selling MP3 player. No other player has come close, I think something like 90% or more of the iPod owneres who buy another MP3 player, buy another iPod.
So why would they want to open up there system...think in terms of balancing business vs consumer. most people are thinking in one term or the other but not a balance
If you buy songs from iTunes/Apple, you will be stuck with "iTunes" forever. Even that isn't true because there are people who make MP3s from the protected AACs. It is the subscription services that put your money down the drain. Once you stop, you loose the rights to your music. How is that better? If I don't want to purchase a single song on iTunes, I can still listen to everything that I've already paid for, either on any of my stereos (using Airport Express), my iPod(s), or my computer systems (Macs and PCs). How is this a restriction?
The brilliant individual who posted "Beware if You buy songs via iTunes....", obviously isn't familiar enough with the iTunes software. If you prefer to have all of your purchased music in MP3 format, you're not stuck with the AAC format (MP4). Every song I have paid for & downloaded from the iTunes Music Store, resides on my computer as MP3 because I prefer the flexibility of non-DRM files. Every song I have ripped from my personal CD collection via iTunes is also in MP3 format. AND everything I've seen Real Networks come up with, Realy sux. DUH...!
It's called Hymn, or JHymn, or other names under Windows. It creates a completely DRM free copy, same audio quality of the file. Which means you no longer need to worry about the DRM. Which means you cna play the song anywhere, on any player.
And besides, when's the last tiem soemone else put out aplayer that's even close to Apple's Caliber? They haven't. So why worry?
"If you buy songs from itunes/apple, you will be stuck with ipod forever, ..."
Where in the world did you come up with THAT crap! An audio file, is an audio file. I can create an audio CD composed of any of music in my iTunes library. ANY.
Given that simple, straight-forward fact. That means it can be converted, and played back in ANY format I desire.
EITHER YOU ARE VERY STUPID, OR A CLASS OF DISHONEST SCUM-BAG WHOM EVERY ONE HATES.
I can't believe there are still people spreading misinformation
This guy doesn't use iTunes AND doesn't know what he's talking about. Every song I've ever downloaded from Apple has been converted to an MP3. I share them with my wife (we consider it "family music") and she plays them on her SanDisk Cruzer MP3 player. "Look Ma - no hands!"
Your assertion is not correct. While the AAC files will not play on MP3 players, Apple allows you to burn them to CD, which you can then rip BACK to MP3, and play anywhere.
Some services/filetypes do or can have such restrictive DRM that you cannot burn the songs to a CD. I can't burn my WMA files then rip them back to AAC for my iPod, but I can burn my iTMS AAC files to CD then rip them back to WMA or MP3. I wonder if people ripping their OWN CDs to a format that cannot be burned to CD know this.
Sounds to me like Apple is a much more open and reusable choice. Crisis averted, village saved.
Web giant is spending $120 million to beef up its Mountain View, Calif., headquarters, according to filings with the city reviewed by the San Jose Mercury News.
Tor's "obfsproxy" technology would make encrypted data look innocuous and let it dodge government censors. That could help citizens in Iran reach blocked sites as antigovernment protests reportedly loom.
MIT creates a simulation to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Spacewar. A relic of the early days of minicomputers, it was one of the first computer video games and set the stage for many others, including Asteroids.
over it already. If Apple is going to 'open up' their format, they'll do
it on their time table, not because of Glaser's whining.
simple, iTunes is still the easiest jukebox software to use, their
prices are competitive and I know who to contact if their is a
problem. No finger pointing, just contact Apple.
Mr. Glaser, if Apple were to open the iPod, who's software would we
have to use to load our iPods with Real's music? Real's? Like I need
or want another program to learn... Get a life or better yet, come
up with a product people actually want to buy!
Apparently ear bud make it a lot easier to damage ones hearing. All these people have damaged their ears and are content to listen mediocre audio quality because they can no longer tell the difference.
and music from an MP3 encoded at 128Kbps. It's one of the things
that makes the MP3 format work. I can encode my entire CD
collection, put it on a player I can carry with me and listen to music
that sounds almost exactly the same.
Earbuds don't damage the ear. Listening at high volume for
extended periods of time damages the ear.
ipod dust!
their iRiver to work. I have even used it with my mother's Rio. While
I have Realplayer on my Mac, if they don't get on the common
format bandwagon, they will fall to the wayside like Sony's non-
MP3 player.
goes to show what can be done if you dump the DRM garbage and
get back to providing a quality product at a good price. Jobs and
Glaser could both take lessons from John Buckman.
iTunes is defiantely the best media player and i hope the iPod remains exclusive to it.
OK - so maybe not. But it's amazing how the Apple zealots & apologists come out for this story.
Real(Very Rairly) then quit out of real i had to restart my computer
so i say screw real real is the one who is piggheaded. NOT apple.
I've been an active consumer enjoying computer audio for some 15 years now and all I can ever remember was Real Networks holding their hand out and charging people for anything they could randomly think of...including my breath if they could fathom a way.
I personally don't feel a need for playing music outside of my computer but admire Apple for innovation, winning strategy and a clear mindset for the future.
Glaser is a whinny @#@%$ who has obviously hindered Real Networks. Somebody throw him off the board, duct tape his mouth and throw him in a closet somewhere. Maybe give him some cheese and crackers to go with his whine?
It's clunky and cumbersome, and is only good for buying music... it's basically a giant playlist that, in it's basic, default form, takes up most of your screen. There's absolutely nothing special about the way it plays music, except for the idiotic 'party mode' which is just a glorified shuffle (like how the ipod shuffle is a glorified lack-of-a-screen).
RealPlayer USED to be the worst media player out there. It has gained ALOT of technological ground since it has been based off of the open-source Helix (I think?) software, which is an OSS media player often included with Linux distributions.
It is the ONLY player I have seen that saves a variable length of a stream, DVR style, for rewinding. As such I think it is one of the best streaming applications availible currently.
wants the leader in the MP3 arena to slow down and let him catch
up...take your cash and invent something better to compete. Quit
looking for another handout!
This is not leadership...it is whining like a little bi#$t.
purchase and download music because it relies on the Windows
Rhapsody client for that functionality. RealNetworks will not
comment on when, or even if, a Mac/Linux client may be available.
Yeah, I know, Mac/Linux have small market share. Just like Real.
compatibility when his own service is only available on one
platform! Idiots!
Real(Very Rairly) then quit out of real i had to restart my computer
so i say screw real real is the one who is piggheaded. NOT apple.
and see the News.com article <a class="jive-link-external" href="http://news.com.com/RealNetworks+moves+Rhapsody+to+the+Web/2100-1027_3-5980908.html?tag=st.ref.goo" target="_newWindow">http://news.com.com/RealNetworks+moves+Rhapsody+to+the+Web/2100-1027_3-5980908.html?tag=st.ref.goo</a>
I must add that I don't like Real Networks and their stupid CEO but I had to bring up the facts.
~ Bob
purpose of the iTunes Music Store is to sell iPods. That is all it's
ever been intended to do and every decision Apple has made
regarding it supports that purpose. As a revenue model on its
own, it is simply not worth it - Apple makes very little money on
the music sold. Opening it to other players and other
applications dilutes and defeats that purpose, and that is why it
hasn't happened. Introducing other arguements and issues is
politics and debate tactics, intended to muddy the waters and
stir up response.
My response to your post is: Amen! Amen! Amen!
from the web site and pay a subscription fee. Unfortunately,
Microsoft's $400 million will keep them in business longer.
than Rhapsody, music match, or any of the other services.
My son's band (Self-Titled), has been getting sixty cents per song
download from iTunes through CD Baby. Rhapsody downloads are
worth a penny each.
Do the math folks. Indy artists get a fair shake from Apple.
player?
My lord, I sure hope you aren't referring to the biggest piece of
bloat on the planet, Internet Explorer!
And if you were, what in the heck are you using to PLAY the
music with? Hmmm?
That's right, a SECOND piece of software!
If you can prove to me that it's MORE efficient and LESS bloated
to use TWO software packages than one, then I'll listen to you.
Until then, let us review basic addition. Using two programs to
manage your entire music experience is using one more
program than is necessary.
Next!
The iPod and iTunes are fantastic, user-centric products. They're
winning fairly: on merits. Word of mouth would still fetch Apple
a healthy market-share because the products are so good.
Glaser probably gets this. But if he admits it, he admits Real is
basically worthless.
Build a better experience. I'll buy it. But the idea of Real or MS
being the ones to that to market is laughable.
I have a Samsung YH-925GS and I love it. Napster is so-so but the player itself is fantastic.
revolution with the Apple II, and then the Macintosh, only to be
undermined by Microsoft with Windows. It was on track in the
early 80s for the market share that Microsoft now enjoys, and
got blindsided because they asked Microsoft to develop a
spreadsheet program for their then prototype Mac. Decades
later, Apple finds another niche with the iPod, and once again,
competitors start whining because their product isn't as good.
Furthermore, are Real media files not proprietary? Are you not
locked into using RealPlayer everytime you encounter one? Does
Windows Media Player play QuickTime files? Um no. Microsoft,
Real, and especially Sony are completely pissed because a
company they had written off as a lost-cause years ago is now
out performing them. These companies need to stop whining
and let Apple have their long-deserved time in the spotlight,
which always seems to be taken away from them by competitors'
underhanded tactics.
The argument that people are going to steal songs if they can't get music off Apple's store is just "pig-headedness!"
When was the last time you could not rip music from a CD that you BOUGHT and load that into any MP3 player?
Oh, we want convenience? In that case, BUY AN iPOD and use the iTunes Music Store. Hello, news flash: Convenience costs money! Depending on one's budget, there's a many different iPods to choose from and the cheapest one ain't that bad!
Duh!
iTunes Store. Consumers wouldn't necessarily benefit as it would
surely bring confusion, inconsistancies and problems. Apple has
been hugely successful because it has control over the 'iPod
experience' from usage to purchasing and that conrol offers
value. iTunes pricing is reasonable and the selection is fairly
large plus you can buy and (legally) rip most anything else you
may want.
I don't think many iPod owners are complaining they cannot use
Real or any other competing service. It's mostly people with
competing players or stores who wish things were different.
raise the price on every thing music to including the songs. in
stead of them being 99¢ they would be like $1.50 or cds instead of
them being about $9.99 they would be about $14.99 or more!!!
a sore LOSER. He is doing whatever he can to gain markershare,
even if to put down a superior technology and market leader.
Obviously, the reason is that AAC is a much better format and the
others don't support it. AAC is part of the MPEG4 format. If the
others would fully support the same format, maybe things might be
different. REAL is on their way downhill fast and Rob Glaser knows
it and he is trying to save face with the shareholders and end losers
that use Real.
you will be stuck with ipod forever,
as the songs cannot be played on other mp3 players!
If your next mp3 player is an from sony or nokia
that adopts open standard DRM,
all your itunes purchase will be down the drain!!
I wonder how many users know this.
older, lesser quality audio format for compressed audio. For
those that didn't know this, RIC, you can put mp3's on the iPod,
just not with these other music player DRM crap.
Get over it. iPod is superior product and they have
approximately 80% marketshare of the player market. Notice I
didn't say "mp3" player market. BTW, you can now play high
quality videos with H.264 on the later generation iPods.
Don't be a sore end loser. :-)
(and dozens of my friends own iPods), did some research.
I, and all my friends, preferred the SOUND QUALITY of Dolby
Labs AAC encoding over that of MS's proprietary CODEC.
I know that the Dell/Sony/Insert Name of All Other Failed
Competitor's Here sycophants can't believe this, but the elitist
attitudes that they hold when venting anti iPod garbage is
exactly that. Garbage.
Every iPod purchaser I know (including my poor, non technical
mother), read the boxes, read the reviews, went to stores,
listened, looked, touched and used an iPod (along with whatever
else that was on the shelf), then purchased the iPod.
Sorry to burst your bubble, but it's terribly arrogant of you to
assume that you're smarter than the people who disagree with
your conclusions.
Carry on,
claims are false. Here, I'll walk you through it....
Start iTunes and open your preferences. On Mac it is Safari-
>Preferences and on Windows it is Edit->Preferences.
Select the Advanced tab.
Change the Import Using field to MP3 Encoder.
Close your preferences.
Now, right click any song in your library and select to Convert to
MP3.
You now have a version of that song that can be used on any
MP3 player.
Really, you should start making it a habit of reading the help
files before you enbarrass yourself in public.
So why would they want to open up there system...think in terms of balancing business vs consumer. most people are thinking in one term or the other but not a balance
It is the subscription services that put your money down the drain. Once you stop, you loose the rights to your music. How is that better? If I don't want to purchase a single song on iTunes, I can still listen to everything that I've already paid for, either on any of my stereos (using Airport Express), my iPod(s), or my computer systems (Macs and PCs). How is this a restriction?
And besides, when's the last tiem soemone else put out aplayer that's even close to Apple's Caliber? They haven't. So why worry?
forever, ..."
Where in the world did you come up with THAT crap! An audio
file, is an audio file. I can create an audio CD composed of any
of music in my iTunes library. ANY.
Given that simple, straight-forward fact. That means it can be
converted, and played back in ANY format I desire.
EITHER YOU ARE VERY STUPID, OR A CLASS OF DISHONEST
SCUM-BAG WHOM EVERY ONE HATES.
MP3 players, Apple allows you to burn them to CD, which you
can then rip BACK to MP3, and play anywhere.
Some services/filetypes do or can have such restrictive DRM that
you cannot burn the songs to a CD. I can't burn my WMA files
then rip them back to AAC for my iPod, but I can burn my iTMS
AAC files to CD then rip them back to WMA or MP3. I wonder if
people ripping their OWN CDs to a format that cannot be burned
to CD know this.
Sounds to me like Apple is a much more open and reusable
choice. Crisis averted, village saved.
probably step down, take his money and RUN.
you how mad he is.