RealPlayer and Sandisk has announced a new Rhapsody MP3 player that bypasses Microsoft's WMA/PlaysForSure audio file format that Rhapsody has previously used. With the release of this new player, Rhapsody will provide the audio files directly to the new Rhapsody MP3 player without using any Microsoft audio format.
"SEATTLE (AP) -- RealNetworks Inc. is teaming up with SanDisk Corp. to release a portable music player that more closely links with RealNetworks' Rhapsody online music service, in the latest attempt to take on Apple's iPod and iTunes stronghold.
Analysts see the deal, to be announced Monday, as a way for SanDisk and RealNetworks to join forces against a new common foe: Microsoft Corp., which recently announced plans to release its own Zune portable music player and service."
More info about this can be found about this from the press release here:
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/060918/realnetwork...layer.html?.v=2
Link to photo of new Sansa Rhapsody MP3 player: http://www.rhapsody.com/rhapsodymp3player