Is RealNetworks on the verge of switching music formats from the proprietary Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) format to Windows Media Audio (WMA)? That seems to be the case, according to a recent report that exposed an email message from RealNetworks Chairman and CEO Rob Glaser to Apple Computer CEO Steve Jobs. Glaser allegedly emailed Jobs earlier this month, looking to form a pact with the company to support Apple's proprietary music technology in its online store and audio software. According to the message, Glaser's appeal to Jobs is a last-ditch effort to avoid switching to Microsoft's WMA audio format, which is used in just about every online music store (except for Apple's) and is supported by a majority of available portable music devices. As discussed in "Subscriptions Are the Future of Digital Media Delivery," WMA-based music stores will soon support a subscription model that will let buyers rent an unlimited amount of music for a small monthly fee. If RealNetworks moves to the Microsoft camp, it would be a huge endorsement of Microsoft's technology, which is exactly what Glaser—a Microsoft enemy—is hoping to avoid. Stay tuned.
