Rhapsody streaming app earns Apple's approval

Apple has approved digital entertainment services firm RealNetworks' Rhapsody subscription music service for download via the App Store, the first time the computing giant has greenlighted an on-demand music streaming application for iPhones and iPod touch devices in the U.S. The Rhapsody app--submitted for approval late last month--enables users to sample more than 8 million songs and create custom playlists; the service operates over both 3G and WiFi networks, with songs streaming at 64 kilobits per second to help prevent interruptions. RealNetworks will offer the service at $14.99 per month--users will be offered the option of purchasing songs from Apple's iTunes Stones, with RealNetworks sharing in any resulting revenues.

"This breaks us out of the non-Apple MP3 player segment and now we can reach the iPod Touch and iPhone audience that was unavailable to us before," said Neil Smith, vice president of business management for Rhapsody America, in an interview with the Associated Press. "We're giving you the ability to listen to any song you want. The ones you really like, you can plunk down the extra $1.29 and buy."

For more on the Rhapsody app for iPhone:
- read this Associated Press article

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