New Audio Plug-In Brings Push-Button Convenience to Audio Surfing
Seattle, WA. Progressive Networks today (August 19) launched RealAudio Player Plus. Player Plus is an enhanced version of the free RealAudio Player that makes accessing audio on the Internet as simple as tuning a car radio, with pre-set and scan buttons.
Player Plus is a browser helper or “Plug-In,” compatible with Netscape Navigator 2.0 or later, and Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 or later, as well as about a dozen other web browsers. It will carry a Suggest Storyed retail price of $29.99. The product will be available for online purchase immediately at Progressive’s web site. It will also be available on retail shelves by the end of September.
“With thousand of hours of live and pre-recorded programming events broadcast in RealAudio each week on the Internet, the ability to access, organize and personalize usage has become essential,” said Rob Glaser, chairman and CEO of Progressive Networks. “The RealAudio Player Plus provides users with the most efficient way to locate, manage and instantly access RealAudio content worldwide.”
The big news for professionals producing material for RealAudio streaming on the net is the Selective Record feature. This feature allows users to listen to audio programs off-line by saving selected audio content locally to their hard disk, even if they are away from their computer. However, this option is available only if the audio producer designates the material as recordable by selecting a new encryption feature in the latest generation of RealAudio encoders. This is intended to protect the rights of copyright holders. The new encoders are not yet generally available.
Other enhancements of existing RealAudio technology introduced with Player Plus include:
- Pre-set Buttons: Enables listeners to quickly reach their favorite RealAudio sites with easy one-button access.
- Scanning: Allows users to surf hundreds of different live radio stations over the Internet without waiting for Web pages to download graphics.
- Timecast Integration: Allows users to receive customized multimedia news, information and entertainment over the Internet. Individual users’ audio preferences are sent to Progressive Networks’ Timecast Web site, which intelligently selects and delivers live and pre-recorded audio programs tailored to each user.
- Perfect Play: will allow 14.4 users the ability to listen to higher quality 28.8 RealAudio sound with the next upgrade of RealAudio.
Included with the RealAudio Player Plus package are copies of both Netscape Navigator 2.0 and Internet Explorer 3.0, over $100 of Internet audio essentials and one month of free unlimited connection time through Netcom and SpryNet. Discount offers are included from prominent RealAudio delivery sites including ESPNet SportsZone, SportsLine, CDNow, 1-800 Music Now, Taylor Subscription Talk, and Wired Magazine. There is also an offer for satellite speakers by Altec Lansing.
Retail distribution and sales for the RealAudio Player Plus is being handled by Broderbund as the result of an affiliate label agreement. Broderbund will handle distribution and sales for all RealAudio retail products in North America.
Progressive Networks will continue to offer the basic RealAudio Player for free from their site.
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