REALNETWORKS INTRODUCES MOBILE PLAYER

By: Jonathan Angel Audio, Video Content Channeled To Phones


(Mediaweek Online) RealNetworks, the
market leader in streaming media delivery, yesterday brought its RealPlayer
software to a cell phone for the first time. RealArcade is a distribution
service for game users and developers that will debut in the fall.

The company's mobile RealPlayer made its debut at the CeBit trade show in
Hanover, Germany, where CEO Rob Glaser was heard and seen via video streamed to
the Nokia 9210 Communicator cell phone. To be available initially in Europe,
Asia and parts of South America, the 9210 runs the Symbian EPOC operating system
and boasts a high-resolution color display.

The phone will be available by third quarter 2001. "Existing RealAudio and
RealVideo content will not need to be modified to play back on the phone," says
RealNetworks spokesperson Lisa Amore, "because the player will adjust to
available bandwidth. Users will be able to search for content from the phone
itself."

As for the gaming initiative, Amore says "we see it as the latest demonstration
of our expertise in connecting consumers to great digital content." The
RealArcade moniker refers both to software design specifications and to a
planned expansion of RealNetworks' existing Web portal.



Copyright 2001, Editor & Publisher.