Google, maker of fine search products, and RealNetworks, maker of a loathsome yet inexplicably popular media player, have extended their deal to promote Google software across Real’s entertainment and multimedia products.
Mozilla is horning in on the action too. Together, all three of the companies have agreed to distribute Firefox (rocks) and the Google Toolbar (rocks) along with Real’s RealPlayer software (does not rock).
So the deal, if you’re Google, is kinda like getting to hook up with identical twin supermodels, except one was disfigured by acid-throwing clowns.
The deal is only Google’s latest distribution pact. Earlier this year Google signed agreements with computer maker Dell to distribute software on its desktops and laptops, and with software company Adobe to distribute Google Toolbar via downloads of Adobe’s Shockwave.
Mozilla’s Firefox browser is currently used by about 15 percent of Web users. RealPlayer is currently the second most popular media software after Windows Media Player, with about 28 million unique users.
No financial terms of the deal were disclosed. Except for Marc Cantor, this is the closest any engineer will ever come to a three-way.