The beginning of the end for Google

[Tek7 (Legacy)]

Google is including RealPlayer as an option with its new "Google Pack," a new software bundle from the sages of search. Want proof of this disgusting betrayal of all things tech? Click here.

I'd really like to believe this is a joke or that there's more to this situation than meets the eye, but it appears that Google may have finally sold out. There's nothing quite like bundling one of, if not THE, most horrible media players available today with quality freeware like Picasa.

EDIT: If anyone can restore my faith in Google, please do so. In a world of evil corporations peddling terrible software (Microsoft) and hardware (Compaq, HP), Google was a refreshing change of pace.

 

[SirThom]

I don't have a problem with it, since it's not installed by default:

http://pack.google.com/pack/pack_in...i_tb&ci_ss&ci_ff&ci_adaware&ci_symantec&ci_ar

That big "Add or Remove Programs" link also allows you to change which programs get installed. =)

Actually, I find this to be a big time-saver, since I install most, if not all, of these apps on a new system (which, by the bye, I will be doing soon).

 

[SirThom]

This is my major hangup with this though:

Windows XP with Administrator privileges

...but you can't do squat without root in Windows. Windows Vistblah should change that, though.

 

[kraniac]

Why do all good things go bad?

Realplayer, Yahoo, and Microsoft. That is why.

 

[Exo-Slayer]

I use Real Alternative built into Media Player Classic to play any .RM files I run into. From what I've used Real Player is one of the worst media players available but maybe they have improved it since the last time I tried. As long as Google allows you to add or remove these programs whats the problem? They are just giving you more choices in a FREE collection of otherwise awesome software.

In fact I just tested it and by default Real Player is not even checked as one of the downloaded programs, you have to specificly go into "Add or Remove software" to be able to add it in.

 

[Killerah]

My expreiences with real player have been annoying ones. It's always trying to make you use it. Anyway, just get Real Alternative. It works very well.

 

[Pilgrim]

I use Real Alternative built into Media Player Classic to play any .RM files I run into. From what I've used Real Player is one of the worst media players available but maybe they have improved it since the last time I tried.

Goes for me too.

 

[Tek7 (Legacy)]

In fact I just tested it and by default Real Player is not even checked as one of the downloaded programs, you have to specificly go into "Add or Remove software" to be able to add it in.

While RealPlayer is not part of the default package, it's still unsettling to see the name linked to Google. Any association between Google and Real, even tenuous, is disturbing.

To quote a recent ars technica article:

Oh, and I left out one other item: the RealPlayer.

That's right. Google will be distributing RealNetwork's RealPlayer. The timing of the announcement leaves us to wonder if RealPlayer and its DRM solution haven't been chosen as Google's commercial video sales format, but it's hard to imagine Google making such a blunder. RealPlayer could be described as significantly unpopular among savvy users, with few of us even having it installed on our systems. Furthermore, the RealPlayer suffers from less penetration than either iTunes or Windows Media Player, giving it the feeling of a third wheel.

Source: Google to sell video, take on Apple; announces Google Pack

Now it may be that Google smelled desperation and negotiated a deal that will force Real to change its evil ways. That's one possibility; I haven't given up hope completely yet.

 

[SirThom]

actually Administrator is not root. there is a higher access level...it's called System and to access that you have to go beyond your regular api calls.

Yes yes, but my point is, you don't need that higher level to install Google Pack.

 

[Master~Plan]

nooo not realplayer! why? google, why? I don't think theres any software I loath more than realplayer.
If google makes an OS someday, the dreaded realplayer will be included if this keeps up.

 

[Odale]

Wasnt Microshaft making its own search engine to blow Google out of the water? I use the Creative Mediaplayer i got with my Audigy from Creative. I love it and i HATE RealPlayer....

 

[Killerah]

Gah! Creative media player? Go with Winamp or Foobar or something! But a media player from Creative? You must not listen to much music or something.

 

[theapoc]

http://www.economist.com/business/displaystory.cfm?story_id=5382048

"Google Fastfood, a button in car dashboards that delivers instantaneous hamburgers."

ooo...ooo... McD has competition

 

[theapoc]

Oh no! I just realized their throwing Norton AV in too. ACK! Not Norton!! (CPU/Memory Hog)