Journal 14, July 1

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203872404574260031716614544.html

Real Player has just released a new video downloading platform called the Real PlayerSP. The Real PlayerSP enables users to download videos and transfer them to various portable devices. It is very convenient because it has an easy-to-use interface and is free to download. Once installed, you can use the new player to download videos on the web and convert the files to place on different mobile devices. This is the key differentiation with the software. It can convert and transfer files to work on the iPhone, Blackberry, T-Mobile Sidekicks, Palm Pre, and and several other portable devices.
RealNetworks, Inc. who has been a long-time player the data transfer industry is also the parent company of Rhapsody Music and the ever evolving Real Player used to play music and videos. The new RealPlayer SP(SP stands for social and portable) is the latest product offering for consumers in this fast-paced digital society.
However, there are a few glitches and concerns with the software. Typically, many videos that people want to rip are larger in size and copyright protected. Thus, the RealPlayer SP can can mainly be used with only small videos. Additionally, the iPod Touch has just released an application that allows users to download videos, movies, and tv shows directly to the device. RealPlayer SP is only currently only compatible with PC but RealWorks plans to unveil a Mac version later in the year. Also, users have found that sometimes when attempting to download a video, it will download only commercial prior to the video but the software will show a full video has been downloaded.

However, the RealPlayer SP makes it easier to go between different social networks to share video. Users find it quite simple to convert one video with software to be viewable on various sites like Twitter, Myspace, and Facebook.
However, Youtube lets users embed videos on these social networking sites as well. The true mark if this new software video converter will have staying power and facilititate further innovation in the market is if its ease of use surpasses current market offerings and if its various platform capabilities will prove useful in a market where many platforms have their own channels of getting videos to portable device users.


Sources:

http://www.realnetworks.com/


http://www.real.com/realplayer?src=realplayer_8020&pcode=rn&opage=realplayer_8020