“RealNetworks Inc. launched Monday a new service that delivers music, sports, news and entertainment audio and video to mobile phones and handheld computers running its software, the digital media software maker said.
RealNetworks, which makes software used to send and receive audio-visual content over the Web, said that devices such as Nokia’s 3650 camera-phone and Palm Inc.’s Tungsten T and Zire 71 personal digital assistants are being shipped with its software for the new service.
Using mobile devices to receive music and video over the mobile Internet is a relatively new phenomenon in the United States, but it is already a growing trend in wireless Web-savvy Japan and has already started in Europe.
“This is the first mainstream (mobile) device that integrates the RealOne Player,” said Ian Freed, vice president of mobile products and services at RealNetworks, referring to Nokia’s phone, which sports a color screen and has the ability to record moving video.
Users can search an online service for the latest National Public Radio news clips, or view golf highlights from the PGA Tour, said Freed.
Wireless operators, such as AT&T Wireless Services Inc. and Cingular Wireless, a joint venture between BellSouth Corp. and SBC Communications Inc., have started to offer mobile access to content, betting that increased usage will drive higher profits and pay for the cost of setting up faster networks.” [CNN Tech]