RealNetworks, Inc. and Sun Microsystems, Inc. announced they have
joined to deliver an end-to-end streaming media solution for use over the
Internet and corporate intranets.
The agreement will make RealNetwork’s RealSystem 5.0 streaming media suite
widely available on Sun Solaris-based Ultra desktops and Sun Enterprise
server computers.
“Optimizing RealSystem 5.0 on Sun’s robust Solaris platform provides us
with a streaming media system with unmatched scalability, reliability and
capacity to support high volumes of users,” said Rob Glaser, chairman and
CEO of RealNetworks.
In addition, RealNetworks will port its RealEncoder and RealPlayer to the
Solaris platform, which will enable the playback of RealAudio and RealVideo
on Solaris systems. RealNetworks also plans to develop with Sun a
Java-based RealPlayer that will allow cross-platform playback of
RealAudio/Video without having to download plugins.
In related news, RealNetworks announced a partnership with Audible Inc. to deliver a new mobile
audio solution for corporate intranets.
The companies said RealServer 5.0 will now interoperate with Audible
Players, handheld PC peripherals that hold up to 2 hours of spoken audio
content. The solution is designed to enable workers to receive corporate
updates, training content, or executive management communiqus while
listening in cars or working from other mobile environments.