Real Deal: Apple or Microsoft?
p2pnet.net News:- RealNetworks ceo Rob Glaser appears to be trying to play Apple Computer off against Microsoft in a bid to get his music software onto front-stage.
He wants to team up with to Apple Computer to form a common front against Microsoft in the online music business, says a New York Times report here.
Glaser made the offer of a “tactical alliance” in an e-mail message to Apple chairman Steve Jobs, says the report,
But if that doesn’t work, “Mr. Glaser strongly hinted in the e-mail message that he might be forced to form a partnership with Microsoft to pursue ‘very interesting opportunities’ because support for Microsoft’s media-playing software seems to be growing”.
A pact with Microsoft would be a startling reversal for RealNetworks, whose complaints about Microsoft’s business tactics form a major part of the European Commission’s antitrust case against the company, says the Times.
Glaser used to work at Microsoft and, “became a bitter rival after Microsoft decided that media-playing software would be crucial to its long-term growth,” it points out.
