Google has extended a multi-year deal with RealNetworks to promote Google software across Real's entertainment and multimedia products, the companies said on Wednesday.
RealNetworks and Google, together with Web browser maker Mozilla, said they had agreed
to distribute the Mozilla Firefox browser together with the Google Toolbar along with
Real's RealPlayer audio and video playback software.
No financial terms were disclosed.
Google Toolbar is a software program users install inside a browser, allowing them to
more quickly search the Web than by having to visit Google.com each time they wish to do
a search.
The deal, which builds on an existing two-year distribution pact between Google and
RealNetworks, is the latest pact Google has signed with major computer hardware and
software companies to distribute its software.
In recent months, Google has set deals with PC maker Dell Inc. and software maker Adobe
Systems Inc.
By ensuring wide availability of its Web search software, Google is racing to head off
competition from Microsoft as it moves later this year or early next year to release
Vista.
The companies said that the Google Toolbar and Mozilla Firefox browser will soon be made
available as options for customers of RealPlayer, RealNetwork's Rhapsody music
subscription service and RealArcade games.