Nullsoft is the developer of the de facto standard MP3 player, Winamp, and Shoutcast streaming technology. Wired News delivered to your inbox or hand-held device. Streaming media king RealNetworks made a recent MP3 splash in its announcement of an MP3 player. The streaming-media leader released its own downloadable music player last month . Its 31 million listening sessions per month, by 1.5 million unique users, average 91 minutes per session, AOL said.
Commerce is part of the equation, too, since users can instantly order music.
Nullsoft developed Winamp, and also built Shoutcast , a system for streaming MP3 audio in real time. Winamp boasts 5 million users. America Online said it would use the Spinner and Nullsoft technologies and programming to allow consumers to play all leading formats of Internet music. The technologies will deliver live and Internet-only radio, sports, and music. AOL also plans to use the acquisition to build a wide range of new audio and other applications for its partners.