Google and RealNetworks announced today that the Google Toolbar is being distributed with RealPlayer 10 downloads. Now, not only Googlers will have the Google Toolbar installed in their IE browser, but by making the Google Toolbar available to the very large number of consumers who install the new RealPlayer 10 every day, Google Toolbar is sure to be popping up on the browsers of more everyday computer users and possibly the browsers of people who prefer Yahoo or other search engines.
With MSN, Yahoo, Amazon’s A9, UCMore, and other search related toolbars hitting the market left and right, this may start a “toolbar distribution war” among search engine companies.
RealPlayer 10 is the first free media player that enables consumers to play content in any of the major Internet media formats, including RealAudio, RealVideo, AAC, Windows Media, QuickTime MPEG-4 and MP3. By including the Google Toolbar in the RealPlayer download options, consumers can choose to install the free web browser tool which enables them to quickly and easily search Google from any web page. Once Google opens its GMail email to the puplic, the Google Toolbar will be the ultimate place to promote the new GMail and access one’s inbox.
The downloading of the Google Toolbar will be opt-in, giving the RealPlayer audience the option to download Google onto their browser. If Google decided to sneak their toolbar on a browser, like many spyware and parasites currently do, they would be breaking some anti-spyware laws and form distrust among the Internet user community.
“By combining RealPlayer 10’s popularity with the Google Toolbar, we’re helping users worldwide improve and enhance their media playback and search experience on the web,” said Carla Stratfold, senior vice president, North America Sales, RealNetworks, Inc. “Our relationship with Google demonstrates our commitment to partnering with best-of-breed products and services and leveraging our distribution power to reach consumers in all global markets.”
“RealPlayer 10 is a valuable distribution platform for the Google Toolbar,” said Omid Kordestani, senior vice president, Worldwide Sales and Field Operations, Google Inc. “We are committed to connecting users worldwide to the information they need, and by offering a free pop-up blocker and autofill capability to RealPlayer 10 consumers, Google further enriches their experience on the web.”
