The RealNetworks/SanDisk partnership will let owners of Sansa e200 MP3 players personalize their device and access Real’s Rhapsody To Go online music service, which costs $14.99 a month.
e200s with the Rhapsody DNA platform will come equipped with nearly 32 hours of pre-loaded music, including artists on labels from EMI Recorded Music, SONYBMG Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group.
The devices also include unique capabilities, such as automatically updating with new music based on a consumer’s personal tastes and historical music preferences.
The Rhapsody DNA platform is based on Real’s Helix digital rights management (DRM) platform, allowing users to access their music library across different types of devices. This ability to transfer music libraries across devices could threaten Apple’s dominance of the digital music market. Apple’s DRM software for the iPod does not allow for interoperability with other devices.
