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Real Networks today announced the launch of a web-based version of its Rhapsody subscription service. This version of the service does not require the installation of the Rhapsody software, and can be accessed from any web browser. This makes Rhapsody platform independent, though at the moment the use of the service is restricted to streaming. If you want to download, burn or transfer to a portable device, you need to install the Rhapsody software on your PC. Still, this is a welcome step towards making your music collection accessible from anywhere, and I expect that as web-based applications continue to evolve, that additional functionality isn’t too far away.
Real also announced an initiative that is the first step towards the syndication of content using the Rhapsody service. From the AP article:
For example, a Web site devoted to the songwriter Elliott Smith might eventually be able to offer users the chance to listen to Smith’s songs on their site, via Rhapsody.
For now, however, Glaser said the service will only be able to offer a link from another site to the Rhapsody service, and users will have to log in with a Rhapsody account to hear the songs.
Glaser said company is hoping to have the more sophisticated offering in the first half of next year.
Both of these initiatives are significant as Real is working to address two of the key mindsets that are driving consumer behavior–time/platform shifting and self-publishing. More on this to come…
2 responses so far ↓
1 anonymous // Dec 6, 2005 at 7:28 pm
actually, the service *does* require the installation of the Rhapsody software…
2 Syd Schwartz // Dec 7, 2005 at 6:04 pm
Well, not the Rhapsody software per se, but it does require the installation of a small plug-in for browser playback. The Rhapsody software is significantly larger than the plug-in (which is around 500k and installed without issue)
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