The most annoying thing about streaming media on the Internet is trying to listen to any kind of decent-quality audio over a modem connection. The second most annoying thing is managing all of the programs required for the major formats -- MP3, RealNetworks" RealAudio and RealVideo, Microsoft"s Windows Media, and Apple Computer"s QuickTime.
RealNetworks" new RealOne Player 2.0 doesn"t do much about the first problem, but it claims to have the second one licked. "The most powerful media player in the world" -- as it"s described in an overblown introduction that plays when you initially launch it -- can play not only MP3 and Real"s own formats but also those of Apple and Microsoft.
That kind of universality is the norm with most kinds of content, from pictures to text documents, but it remains novel in streaming media. Real"s new player (Win98, WinNT 4 or newer) is a welcome step in the right direction -- but it"s only a baby first step.