Internet audio and video streaming company RealNetworks Inc has released its next-generation G2 delivery system into beta. The product was first unveiled at the Seattle-based company’s user conference in April (CI No 3,399) and offers such things as a new music codec, the addition of two new media types, RealText and RealPix, plus support for the World Wide Web Consortium’s Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language (SMIL) – a would-be standard for which Microsoft Corp recently withdrew its support – and automatic updates. RealNetworks says more the 50 media companies will be providing their own RealChannels on the service and more than 20 are providing SMIL tools for users. The company didn’t get back to us in time to tell us when the full version will ship.
