If RealNetworks has their way, you will soon be able to download music from the Real Music Store to your iPod. RealNetworks’ CEO Rob Glaser asking for a (registration required) a “tactical alliance” between Real and Apple against Microsoft in the overwhelming digital music business.

RealNetworks thoughtfully intends to license Apple’s all time favorite Fairplay DRM system, so that their customers can play downloads from their music services (Rhapsody and the Real Music Store) on their cool iPods. RealNetworks would then make the iPod its “primary device” for the music store and the RealPlayer software. Glaser also opined that RealNetworks might end up switching to WMA, which is somewhat surprising as per the relations between Real and Microsoft.

It’s a well known fact that both RealNetworks and Apple support the same digital music technology standards, popularly known as AAC. But because it is not possible for RealNetworks’ encrypted music services, Rhapsody and the Real music store, to be played on iPod, RealNetworks is considering switching to Microsoft’s competing WMA format, now that is way too smart I guess, which would make the

RealNetworks services work flawlessly with Microsoft’s technology. Mr. Glaser told the media that, “We are seeing very interesting opportunities to switch to WMA, instinctively I don’t want to do it because I think it leads to all kinds of complexities in terms of giving Microsoft too much long-term market momentum.”, now you know what smart thinkers are made of, keep up the good work.

As per the options posed in front of Apple, I guess they are considering the matter and would think of giving a clearance with nod. They might lose some online music sales though, but the shelling-off of more iPod sales would be more than worthwhile. Allying with RealNetworks would also be a tactical move against the market giant, Microsoft, and would likely encourage other music stores to offer Fairplay AACs. Any loss of revenue and funds from direct music sales could even be replaced by licensing revenues. Glaser is planning to meet the editor of “Jobs This Week” - stay connected...

Via: Tech