Real Networks to compete with Apple iTunes - 79 cents a song

theinquirer.net ^

[chance33_98]

Real Networks to compete with Apple iTunes

79 cents a song

By INQUIRER staff: Wednesday 28 May 2003, 10:55

APPLE'S ONLINE music service iTunes is to face competition from Real Networks, which will today announce a download music service for only 79 cents a track. According to the Wall Street Journal, the service will be based on the Rhapsody service from listen.com, which Real bought last month.

The move means Real won't push Musicnet any more, a joint venture between it and major firms EMI, AOL and Bertelsmann.

But the Journal points out that Real Networks owns 40 per cent of Musicnet and has already plunged an estimated $4 million into the service.

Most people are waiting to see what the Big Vole (Microsoft) will do, as the race to sell music online gathers pace.

[The Duke]

It seems to me that the perfect stock to shortsell would be Real Networks, given the fact that their entire market sphere is squarely in Microsoft's crosshairs.

Anybody else got a thought on this?

[tm22721]

Yeah .79 a song but a required 9.99 a month subscription charge ain't no bargain.

BUMP

[Izzy Dunne]

Funny how they forgot to mention the $10.00 a month subscription fee for REAL, that you don't pay with Apple.

[Izzy Dunne]

20 bucks buys you 20 songs at iTMS. (even cheaper by the album)
20 bucks buys you 12 songs at Real.

[LS]

Depends on how many songs you need. My wife is a fitness instructor who needs 2-3 CDs worth of music every month for her classes. At $10 bucks, plus .79 per, it's a steal for me.

[LS]

I understand, but if you don't have a Mac, you can't get i-Tunes---at least, I can't.