News Intel buys RealNetworks patents for streaming push

Putting its profits to work...

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/bits/2012/01/27/intel-buys-realnetworks-patents/1

 

Does anyone still use RealPlayer anymore? I only used it to stream Radio 1 back in the day.... it's not been on any of my machines for a few years.

 

Wonder if this purchase is linked to Intel's push into mobile computing somehow..... There's got to be something in those patents that they hold... surely.

 

Oh god, just let it die, please let it go.

 

My guess this is to enhance their "intel Insider" HD movie streaming systems.

http://www.intel.com/content/www/us...nsider-for-premium-hd-home-entertainment.html

 

I've not used it in years. I use Winamp for music these days. Tend to use Zoom Player MAX for videos.

 

Ahhh... memories of BUFFERING every 2 seconds. I can't remember the last time I saw Real probably at least a decade.

 

Somehow I doubt they're bringing back RealPlayer. They want it for the technologies to implement in their own products. Personally I think this is a game of 'wait and see'.

 

only users who use real player is china (they seem to Love the real player format for some reason {cartoons like bayblade, pokimon so on })

 

If memory doesn't fail me there was a big controversy about spyware in RealPlayer some years back. To the extent that most people stopped using it. I believe RealNetworks eventually removed the offending code, but RealPlayer never retained its status after that.

 

Real was only popular because it was the only game in town way back. Anyone who was paying attention ditched it as soon as something else came along. It became the AOL of streaming audio - only used by people who didn't know any better.

azrael's right, too; there was some spyware scandal a few years back. Honestly, I'm surprised RealNetworks is still around as a company.

 

Now I remember why a rebuild was necessary to remove it completely, it was loaded with spyware and badware!
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/RealPlayer

 

And bloat ware. RealPlayer jut had this behemoth of a front end that kept nagging you with messages and adverts. Of course, geeks used RealAlternative: all of the codec, none of the surrounding bloat ware.

 

And due to having been the first one they hold lots of valuable patents.
Essentially Intel is just lowering its royalty expenses in the future with a one off payment.

 

I use it still but for only one feature. That if ripping/downloading video files that seem otherwise unavailable. It's a nice feature for use with Youtube, although I am sure other software can do the same job but Real does it fine for me and I am just used to it.