RealNetworks takes open-source route
Published: 22 Jul 2002 15:51 BST
RealNetworks will unveil a new open-source version of its media streaming software Monday that will support multiple file formats for audio and video, including those that use Microsoft's Windows Media technology.
The new software package dubbed "Helix," first reported by The New York Times, is scheduled to be unveiled at a press conference at 10 a.m. PDT. The Helix software includes tools such as Helix Universal Server and Helix Producer.
RealNetworks is already playing up the hype for Helix. On RealNetworks home page, the company touted "a major industry announcement" in a large font and urged site visitors to come back later. However, Helix details were discovered elsewhere on RealNetworks's Web site. RealNetworks wasn't immediately available for comment.
The move by RealNetworks represents a shift for the company. RealNetworks has resisted offering Windows Media software, given its fierce market share battle against Microsoft's Windows Media streaming products.
Today's announcement also acknowledges Microsoft's influence in media technology. Following a playbook perfected against Netscape Communications, Microsoft has been able to chip away at RealNetworks' initial dominance by leveraging its operating system. Microsoft gives away its Window Media software and server products.
RealMedia reached 17 million at-home viewers in April, compared with Windows Media's 15.1 million and Apple Computer's QuickTime at 7.3 million, according to Nielsen/NetRatings. At work, Windows Media drew about 12.2 million unique viewers, compared with RealMedia's 11.6 million and QuickTime's five million.
According RealNetworks Web site, the company is taking the open-source route to fend off Microsoft. Helix allows companies to offer "multiple formats and architectures" through a variety of devices and operating systems, said the company.
RealNetworks will begin offering Helix's client source code within 90 days and then release the server source code in "subsequent months," the company said. Details will be further outlined on a special Web site for Helix developers.
The company's plans to reveal its source code echoes similar moves made by Netscape to fend off Microsoft. In March 1998, Netscape took the bold step of opening its source code to allow software developers to help create the next generation of its popular browser.
James Barksdale, then-chief executive of Netscape, said the move would allow the company to "tap into a virtually unlimited developer talent pool." Instead, the effort, which has evolved into the Mozilla.org project, hit considerable road blocks as Microsoft overtook Netscape in market share.
RealNetworks did not formally license the ability to offer Windows Media software, but instead recreated the technology based on data streams sent between the server and player software, The New York Times reported. A Microsoft representative told the newspaper that the company would need to determine whether RealNetworks licensed the software before taking action.
Microsoft wasn't immediately available for comment.
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