When you connect your mobile device to your computer, RealPlayer recognizes it as an additional source of content, and asks you to identify the make and model. I tested RealPlayer by connecting a smartphone to my PC, and I was happy to see that this relatively new phone was available as an option on Real's list. The app identifies your mobile device in case you wish to convert any of your PC files for viewing on the handset, and I was able to convert files without a problem.
When your mobile device is connected, RealPlayer adds it to your library, where you can view its information in a panel that runs down the left side of the player's window. Working with the interface is similar to using iTunes with an iPhone; you'll see your phone's name, and you can click on it to view the device's info.
RealPlayer will identify any new music, video, or image files on your connected phone or audio player, and will allow you to transfer them right to your PC. This process worked seamlessly in my tests, and it provided one of the easiest ways of managing an Android phone that I've experienced yet. In addition, you can sync playlists and transfer files to your mobile device by just dragging and dropping the files to your phone. And if a file isn't compatible with your device, the new RealPlayer (like previous versions) will give you the option of converting it and then syncing it.
You can use the new RealPlayer with an iPhone or an iPod (and you will see both of these devices listed by name in the player's menu of available mobile devices), but the experience isn't quite the same. Your iPhone or iPod will not show up in your library as a connected device, but you will be able to convert files and copy them to the iPhone or iPod. The app also lets you add files right to your iTunes library, which is a nice touch. Still, the new RealPlayer is not a true media-management option for Apple's devices; is a much better choice for that.
RealPlayer Plus offers an easy way to manage your media library, but its best features are also available in the free version of the software. If you own an Android, BlackBerry, or Nokia phone, and if you've been looking for a free and easy way to wrangle multimedia files, the new RealPlayer will make your life a whole lot easier. But the $40 you'd pay for the Plus version would be better spent elsewhere.