Frank,
Not sure you have seen this one:
Philips to Market Internet Music Player, Plans New Audio Format
Amsterdam, Aug. 9 (Bloomberg) -- Royal Philips Electronics NV, Europe's
largest consumer electronics maker, said it will introduce a new audio
player that will allow users to download music from the Internet.
The player will be able to download MP3 music files from the Internet onto
a memory card that can hold about an hour of digital-quality music,
Philips said. MP3 technology compresses audio signals into files small
enough to be transmitted easily across the Internet. The player will be
integrated with RealNetworks, Inc.'s RealJukebox and RealJukebox Plus
digital music systems that allow consumers to manage their music choices
on their personal computers.
The product will compete with the Rio, the first portable device to let
consumers play songs downloaded from the Internet, developed by Diamond
Multimedia Systems Inc. The Rio sells for about $270. Technology firms as
well as music companies are seeking ways to generate revenue from music
posted on the Web.
''We want to offer solid state products that ensure that all MP3 files --
future and existing -- can be downloaded on our players,'' said Guy Demuynck,
head of Philips Audio.
Philips said the product will be compatible with the security guidelines
for portable devices that play music from the Internet. The world's biggest
music companies and their counterparts in the technology industry set the
guidelines, called the Secure Digital Music Initiative, in June.
Philips said separately it will introduce a new high-quality audio disc format
developed with Sony Corp. next year. Sony already sells the discs and its
own player in Japan, which sell for $25 and $5,000 respectively. Philips
plans its own player in Europe and the U.S. by spring next year under its
Marantz brand.
The audio format, called Super Audio CD, will compete with the DVD audio format
backed by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Time Warner Inc. and others,
the New York Times reported yesterday. Philips spokeswoman Marijke van
Hooren said the products won't directly compete because Philips' most likely
higher-priced product will be aimed at ''the real audiophile.''
Aug/09/1999 12:55
Interesting times ahead.
Philips will be some formidable competition, but Rio has a head start.
Don't be surprised it will be sold off or there we be a slew of announcements
coming out of S3 of acquisitions and/or alliances aimed at cementing
Rio's position before competing products can take hold.
JMHO |
