Sony to Promote Net MD Walkman on RealNetworks' Web Sites
SEATTLE, June 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
RealNetworks(R), Inc. (Nasdaq: RNWK), the global leader in Internet media
delivery, today announced the Sony Music Device Plug-in for the RealOne(TM)
Player. The plug-in enables consumers to easily transfer their digital music
to Sony audio devices such as Net MD(TM) Walkman(R), Network Walkman and
VAIO(R) personal computers. The RealOne Player plug-in will be available July
8 free of charge to all RealOne Player users and will be demonstrated this
week at PC Expo (Sony Booth, # 2622). Additionally, Sony will promote their
Net MD product line across RealNetworks' family of Web sites.
This announcement comes shortly after Sony and RealNetworks signed a
multi-year agreement this spring to work together to bring audio and video
technology to Sony's hardware devices including portable audio players and
traditional consumer electronics.
"For the millions of consumers who use Sony's growing family of music
players such as Net MD Walkman, Network Walkman, and VAIO personal computers,
the RealOne Player provides considerable benefits for managing and
transferring digital content," said Keiji Kimura, corporate senior vice
president of Sony Corporation. "Today's announcement is a meaningful step in
enabling our customers to enjoy digital music on a wide variety of Sony
products."
"When creating the strategic partnership with Sony, our goal was clear:
to work with the number one consumer electronics brand in the world to bring
our industry-leading technology to a wide range of consumer products," said
Phil Barrett, senior vice president, RealNetworks, Inc. "Creating a fully
integrated music experience between RealOne Player and Sony audio devices does
just that and is the first step in our collaboration to drive the industry
forward."
About RealOne Player and the Sony Music Device Plug-In
RealOne Player is the streamlined integration of the playback, download
and management functions of RealPlayer(R) and RealJukebox(R) combined with a
media browser and content discovery window. RealOne Player allows customers
to discover, play and manage free content available on the Web, while RealOne
SuperPass, RealNetworks' premium subscription service, provides access to the
best news, sports and entertainment programming. The Sony Music Device
Plug-in will be available for all RealOne Player users from the Devices Page
in RealOne Central. The plug-in transcodes MP3 and RealAudio encoded music in
the RealOne Player into ATRAC3 before transferring it to Sony devices.
About RealNetworks
RealNetworks, Inc., is the global leader in Internet media delivery. It
develops and markets software products and services designed to enable users
of personal computers and other consumer electronic devices to send and
receive audio, video and other multimedia services using the Web. Consumers
can access and experience audio/video programming and download RealNetworks
consumer software on the Internet at http://www.real.com . RealNetworks'
systems and corporate information is located on the Internet at
http://www.realnetworks.com .
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks
and uncertainties, including statements relating to RealNetworks and Sony's
ability to bring products to market together. Actual results may differ
materially from the results predicted. Factors that could cause actual
results to differ from the results predicted include the risks associated with
RealNetworks ability to devote developer resources to creating technology for
Sony devices, alignment of business interests between RealNetworks and Sony
that makes further agreements possible, and consumer adoption of Sony's
devices. More information about potential risk factors that could affect
RealNetworks' business and financial results is included in RealNetworks'
annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, and its
quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2002, and from
time to time in other reports filed by RealNetworks with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
NOTE: RealNetworks, RealAudio, RealPlayer, RealJukebox, and RealOne are
trademarks or registered trademarks of RealNetworks, Inc. Net MD, Walkman,
and VAIO are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Corporation. All
other companies or products listed herein are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective owners.
SOURCE RealNetworks, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.real.com
CONTACT:
Erika Shaffer of RealNetworks,
+1-206-892-6191, or eshaffer@real.com
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