RealNetworks describes its new software that "unlocks" the iPod:

Before RealPlayer with Harmony, consumers buying digital music were forced to buy music that only worked on a particular brand of portable device, meaning that they could easily get "locked in" to that device, often without even knowing it.

Meanwhile, Real's "solution" -- RealPlayer with Harmony -- is itself a software lock-in. (It's hypocrisy and chutzpah in one tidy package!)

Once you switch from iTunes, you can't go back or you risk losing access to all the music you buy from the Real music store to an iPod software update. Meanwhile, you can't put music purchases from the iTunes store on your iPod, because it's no longer safe to use iTunes, in case Apple tries to update the iPod to block the RealPlayer hack.

RealPlayer with Harmony is about control. Apple has a captive audience of affluent music buyers. Real wants 'em.

The release of RealPlayer with Harmony is not about freedom of choice or open formats for music. For example, Harmony does not promote FLAC or Ogg Vorbis. It does not provide RealPlayer users with access to competing music stores like Napster or Connect. (In fact, it discourages iPod owners from using the iTunes store, warning that Apple might use the opportunity to repossess their iPod.)

In short, Harmony is good for RealNetworks, and possibly for a small group of people who are iPod owners who use Windows, prefer RealPlayer to iTunes, and want to shop exclusively at the RealNetworks music store. If you draw the Venn diagram, I think you'll find this is a pretty small group.

Best of luck with Harmony, Real. Last one out of the building, please turn off the lights.