Segment Information (Segment Results) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 56,793	$ 66,964
Cost of revenue	20,506	27,427
Gain on sale of patent and other technology assets, net of costs	0	(1,580)
Gross profit	36,287	39,537
Operating expenses	47,713	56,499
Operating income (loss)	(11,426)	(18,542)
RealPlayer Group
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	22,383	22,081
Cost of revenue	5,311	4,564
Gross profit	17,072	17,517
Operating expenses	16,206	15,975
Operating income (loss)	866	1,542
Mobile Entertainment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	20,495	25,775
Cost of revenue	10,832	15,478
Gross profit	9,663	10,297
Operating expenses	9,111	14,804
Operating income (loss)	552	(4,507)
Games
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	13,915	19,108
Cost of revenue	3,800	6,713
Gross profit	10,115	12,395
Operating expenses	11,852	14,138
Operating income (loss)	(1,737)	(1,743)
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Cost of revenue	563	672
Gain on sale of patent and other technology assets, net of costs	0	(1,580)
Operating expenses	10,544	11,582
Operating income (loss)	$ (11,107)	$ (13,834)