tang -
Re: ICQ and AOL Instant Messenger; also Real Player integration
Thank you for your response. Re: ICQ and AOL Instant Messenger -- my son tells me he prefers AIM and that it is more convenient and easier for messaging but he says you can do more with ICQ in terms of sending files and other attachments. He says the AIM download takes about 20 minutes and is very easy. When I got my new computer recently, the first thing he volunteered to do for me was to set up my AIM list and record his user name aliases so we get the online prompts and can communicate between his and my computer. That says a lot in itself I guess.
As you say, "the future AOL membership growth sits
right there waiting!" -- right on the mark !
Also, I'm including an article about the integration of Real Player G2 with AOL Instant Messenger :
FWIW, I also hold both RNWK and BCST LT -- more and more good things happening with RNWK IMO. DD always advised. AOL link-up should mutually expand reach, entertainment interest and utility. As you well know, we're just scratching the surface for broadband features -- will be interesting to await "AOL voice / streaming video Instant Messenger !"
Thanks again and good luck --
George Martin ------------------------- RNWK article article follows:
>> RealNetworks Announces Update of RealPlayer G2 Including Integration of theAOL Instant Messenger Service
Integration of AOL Instant Messenger Service With RealPlayer G2 Allows
Consumers to Exchange Real-Time Streaming Media Programming With
Friends, Family, and Colleagues
SEATTLE, March 18 /PRNewswire/ -- RealNetworks(R) (Nasdaq: RNWK), the recognized leader in streaming media, today announced the availability of RealPlayer(R) G2 Update 1, incorporating the integration of AOL's Instant Messenger service, the most convenient and popular way to stay in touch and communicate instantly with friends, family and business colleagues. RealPlayer G2 Update 1 now features an AOL Instant Messenger button and two convenient menu items to make it easy for RealPlayer users to send instant messages. The integration of AOL Instant Messenger service with RealPlayer G2 greatly enhances online communities by enabling users to share their favorite RealAudio(R) and RealVideo(R) clips in real-time with the simple click of a mouse. RealPlayer G2 Update 1 is immediately available for download at real.com.
"With more than 55 million RealPlayer registered users, today's announcement further expands the AOL Instant Messenger community, enabling more users than ever to easily and instantly communicate with friends and family," said David Gang, Senior Vice President of Strategic Development, America Online. "We think that the ability to share audio and video experiences will add an exciting new dimension to the instant communications experience for the more than 35 million users of the AOL Instant Messenger service."
"The integration of real-time communication using AOL Instant Messenger service with streaming audio and video in RealPlayer G2 provides an exciting new dimension to the consumer Internet experience," said Maria Cantwell, Consumer and E-Commerce Division, RealNetworks, Inc. "We are excited to be working with AOL to make it as easy as possible for RealPlayer and AOL Instant Messenger users to find and share their favorite streaming media programming."
New Features in RealPlayer G2
In addition to the integration of AOL Instant Messenger service, RealPlayer Update 1 will also include:
* Choice of three download sizes -- Minimal Download (2.6 MB), Standard
Download (4.3 MB) and Complete Download (5.7 MB) enables customers with
broadband Internet access to obtain extra RealPlayer features, while
also enabling dial-up customers to minimize the download time required
to play RealSystem(TM) G2 content. All RealPlayer versions include
AutoUpdate, a mechanism for seamlessly adding additional functionality
* RealPlayer G2 Update 1 will provide users of Internet Explorer 5 with
instant access to more than 1700 live radio and television stations
through RealNetworks' RealGuide Explorer Bar. RealGuide Explorer Bar
provides one-click access to RealGuide(TM), the most comprehensive guide
to high quality streaming media programming on the Web.
* All RealPlayer G2 versions now include RealNetworks standards-based
Scalable Multicast support which provides the promise for Web media
content providers to reach large scale audiences through router-based
stream splitting.
* Startup performance for RealChannels(TM) and SMIL presentations are now
greatly enhanced, enabling SMIL-based RealChannels to start playing more
quickly.
RealNetworks' Market Leadership
There are now more than 55 million registered unique users of RealPlayer(R), allowing the RealPlayer to enjoy the largest absolute growth of any consumer desktop application in 1998, according to Media Metrix. Actual usage of RealPlayer has also grown dramatically, with Media Metrix reporting that the number of unduplicated home users in the US climbed by more than 300% to 15.5 million in December 1998, compared to 3.5 million consumers who used the RealPlayer in December 1997.
RealNetworks continues to maintain a more than 85% share of the streaming media market. More than 85% of all Web pages on the Internet using streaming media use industry leading RealAudio, RealVideo, RealFlash(TM), RealText(TM) or RealPix(TM), and more than 300,000 hours of live RealAudio and RealVideo programming are available each week (Source: Hotbot).
About RealNetworks
RealNetworks, Inc., based in Seattle, is the recognized leader in the streaming media market. It develops and markets software products and services designed to enable users of personal computers and other consumer electronic devices to send and receive audio, video and other multimedia services using the Web. RealNetworks can be found on the World Wide Web at www.real.com.
NOTE: RealNetworks, RealSystem, RealPlayer, RealAudio, and RealVideo, RealText and RealPix are trademarks or registered trademarks of RealNetworks, Inc. RealFlash is a trademark of Macromedia, Inc. and RealNetworks, Inc. Macromedia and Flash are registered trademarks of Macromedia, Inc. All other companies or products listed herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
SOURCE RealNetworks, Inc.
CO: RealNetworks, Inc.
ST: Washington
IN: MLM CPR
SU: PDT
03/18/99 13:58 EST prnewswire.com |
