Windows Media Player 11 gives users Vista URGE

Stan Beer
Tuesday, 31 October 2006 17:11

Your IT - Home IT

Microsoft has unleashed Windows Media Player 11 for Windows XP but promises its look, feel and capabilities are a preview of what's to come in Windows Vista. The new Microsoft desktop player is designed to be used with URGE, MTV Networks online digital music service and is compatible with portable players using Microsoft's PlaysForSure DRM.

New features include improved organization of music using thumbnail and album art, as well as audio fingerprinting capabilities that recognize and import track information for unidentified or misnamed audio files and tracks ripped from CDs.

Improvements have also been made to the navigation, searching and management of video and still management content, as well as syncing with compatible portable video devices.

Despite Microsoft's intention to go off in a completely different and incompatible direction with its Zune player and Zune Marketplace online store in a few weeks, the news of the release Windows Media Player 11 with the integrated URGE service has been welcomed by Microsoft's music player vendor partners, soon to be competitors.

"Consumers are demanding more flexibility and options when it comes to downloading content to their portable media players," said Andrew Yang, COO of iriver America. "When combined with Windows-based devices such as the iriver clix, Windows Media Player 11 provides the most complete solution for accessing, downloading and managing their digital libraries."

"Windows Media Player 11 is another significant step forward in bringing consumers a better digital music experience," said Eric Bone, director of product marketing of audio and video products at SanDisk. "By integrating SanDisk's line of Sansa MP3 players with the new Windows Media Player, we're giving consumers the ultimate choice of how they manage and where they get their music."

MTV was similarly glowing with praise accompanying news of the release.

"MTV Networks' collaboration with Microsoft on Media Player 11 gives URGE users a fully immersive and integrated music and entertainment experience," said Michael Bloom, vice president of Digital Music at MTV Networks and general manager of URGE. "Our expertise in music programming and design combined with Microsoft's technology gives music fans the best way to discover and stay connected with the music and artists they love."

A few weeks from now, however, when Microsoft releases its PlaysForSure incompatible Zune player and Zune marketplace, Microsoft's partners may well be singing a different tune.