Major League Baseball Trades RealPlayer

By Geoff Duncan April 7, 2006

Major League Baseball has dropped support for RealNetworks‘ RealPlayer streaming media software on its MLB.com site, opting instead to present streaming audio and video in Microsoft Windows Media format.

The move isn’t entirely unexpected: the relationship between MLB and RealNetworks got started in 2002 when MLB picked RealPlayer to stream live baseball games and other video via the Internet. However, things quickly degenerated, resulting in RealNetworks suing MLB in 2004, claiming the baseball monopoly had violated an agreement to only use its partners’ technology for streaming media and was showing favoritism towards Microsoft’s streaming media technologies. The suit was settled in 2004 for an undisclosed amount.

RealNetworks has recently been focussing on becoming a media provider in its own right

Geoff Duncan

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

Smart Home

Nest Doorbell vs. Ring Battery Doorbell Plus: which is the better video doorbell?

The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus installed outside a front door.

Ring and Nest are responsible for some of the best video doorbells available. With easy-to-use smartphone apps, simple installation processes, and the ability to customize your motion alerts, the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus and Nest Doorbell have quickly established themselves as two of the best video doorbells money can buy.

But what exactly is the difference between these two popular gadgets? And which is better for your smart home?

Smart Home

The best Apple HomeKit devices for 2023

A person unlocking the Aqara U100 smart lock with their phone.

While not as widespread as Google Home or Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit remains one of the most popular smart home ecosystems of 2023. The software plays well with iOS devices, and several other gadgets such as smart lights, smart locks, thermostats, and cameras can be controlled using the fancy technology. If you’re looking to build your smart home around Apple’s ecosystem, here are the best HomeKit devices available today.
Locks

HomeKit doesn’t have the largest selection of smart locks, but that doesn’t really matter when you have something as well-rounded as the Aqara Smart Lock U100. Not only does it offer full HomeKit support, but you’ll even gain access to Apple home keys -- allowing you to unlock your door with your iPhone or Apple Watch. There’s also the standard keypad for entering a passcode, along with a fingerprint sensor that can store several dozen fingerprints (so your whole family can enter the home without worrying about forgetting their password or smartphone).

Smart Home

Secure your home with Ring Floodlight Cam Plus and save $80

Ring Floodlight Camera placed on a wall outside.

Best Buy has one of the best security camera deals at the moment with $80 off the Ring Floodlight Cam Plus Outdoor Wired Surveillance Camera. Usually priced at $200, it's down to $120 for a limited time only so if you're fast enough, you'll save a lot of cash. If you're looking to secure your home, keep reading while we tell you all about the advantages this security camera offers.

Why you should buy the Ring Floodlight Cam Plus
Considered to be one of the best floodlight cameras for someone seeking a hard-wired solution, the Ring Floodlight Cam Plus Outdoor Wired Surveillance Camera is a highly effective home security measure.