Rhapsody Player Makes Music Happen

Rhapsody Player is an online music service run by RealNetworks, the makers of RealPlayer. Real Rhapsody player stores your favorite videos and music online and gives you the opportunity to buy new videos and music. With a user-friendly format, Rhapsody is even accessible to those with limited computer knowledge or experience.

The History of Rhapsody Player

In December, 2001 Rhapsody Player was launched. Originally the concept of a high quality streaming audio engine was developed by JP Lester, Tim Bratton, Nick Sincaglia, Alexandre Brouaux, Dave Lampton and Sylvain Rebaud. The engine was used in the TuneTo.com custom radio service and the prototype was referred to as Aladdin. Listen.com acquired TuneTo.com in April, 2001. By December 3, 2001, Aladdin was magically transformed into Rhapsody music service.

Rhapsody was revolutionary, offering the first on-demand streaming music subscription service. For a flat fee, users enjoyed unlimited access to the full library of digital music. In the beginning, Rhapsody used content from independent labels and Naxos. By 2002, Rhapsody got licenses from leaders such as Warner, EMI, Sony, Universal and BMG. They were the first on-demand music service offering digital catalogs from the five major recording labels. RealNetworks acquired Listen.com in 2003 and the service was briefly called RealRhapsody. By 2006, 1.4 million RealNetworks subscribers were also subscribing to music.

How Does Rhapsody Player Work?

Rhapsody offers a variety of browsing features to find your favorite artist, album, track, composer, viedos and lyrics. Users can also search keywords to find what they want or explore links such as Contemporaries or Artist Influences. Top artists and songs are ranked. The files you download have restrictions on their use. Helix enforces digital rights for RealNetworks.

Rhapsody Player is a multimedia Internet application that makes it easy to store, manage and purchase music and videos. Rhapsody player also offer live streams. To get started, you need a computer, Internet service, a sound card and speakers, a Rhapsody account, RAM and space on your hard drive to download Rhapsody Player. You simply install Rhapsody player and create an account so you can sign in. One logged in, you install your cell phone, MP3 or other device on the Real Player system. Devices are authorized by the user with up to four computers and three devices.

Getting Media With Rhapsody Player

Users just drag and drop videos and music from Rhapsody to their own devices. The media can also be burned onto a CD. If you have an unlimited account or purchase the song, you can play it as often as you want. Users with Yahoo Jukebox will be transfers to Rhapsody as the two have merged.

Rhapsody Player Options

Users can purchase music a la carte and pay by the song. The free version of Rhapsody is supported by ads to offer customers 24 songs on-demand monthly with access to 24 Internet radio stations. There are also two different paid subscription option. One offers unlimited music selections from the Rhapsody catalog with Rhapsody programmed radio stations. The other paid version of Rhapsody allows music to be transferred to portable devices with certain iPod songs available based on the arrangements made with individual recording labels. Rhapsody is even available through TiVo to play through DVR units and Nokia Internet tablets. Rhapsody.com is installed through a browser plug-in and is compatible with Linux, Windows, Mac and Firefox, Safari and Internet Explorer web browsers. With Jukebox software, you can play track randomly, edit your playlist and use the CD burner and ripper.

What Is Rhapsody To Go?

Rhapsody To Go is a special service offered to buyers of select MP3 players that support it. The Sansa is a popular portable music device chosen by Rhapsody users. The graphical interface is easy to use yet small enough to be portable. Usually several hours of Rhapsody music are already pre-loaded onto the device. The Ibiza Rhapsody MP3 hard drive-based player offers smooth access for To Go customers.

What Does Rhapsody Player Offer?

Currently there Rhapsody Player has a catalog with 5,000,000 different options. No matter what music you like best, Rhapsody Player offers selections you enjoy. Rhapsody maintains music licensing agreement with the five major record labels to offer a vast database of music selections. The database changes frequently to accommodate the wants of Rhapsody users. Rhapsody Jukebox users can also use RealNetworks Harmony plug-in. This converts tracks purchased from Rhapsody to files for use on Apple iPods.

Play All Your Music With Rhapsody Player

You can manage all your digital music files from one place with Rhapsody Player. Along with subscription tracks, you can play your favorite CDs, AAC, MP3 and WMA so your entire music collection is accessible for your listening pleasure. Manage your music with ease and find what you want, when you want it. Burn songs to CDs or transfer them to portable devices so you go wherever you do.

From playing music on your cell phone to listening to selections on your home stereo, you can do it all with Rhapsody Player.