Cnet reports more about Microsoft's upcoming Media Player 9. The company will introduce more content in the Windows Media Format and a new "Services" tab that initially allows consumers to sign up for a trial subscription to Pressplay.
The software will also introduce new features and while Cnet reports that most of them seem to come from Apple's iTune software, my best bet is that the ideas come from the popular Winamp.
Microsoft's media player also adds "cross-fading" between songs, similar to the transitions heard on the radio, and the user has control over the duration of the overlap between two songs. Apple introduced a similar feature with iTunes 2. Windows Media Player 9 also can adjust the sound level among songs, a longstanding feature of MusicMatch's product and new to iTunes. |
When the user minimizes the program to the Windows Task Bar, a mini-player control appears on the task bar for listening to digital media, adjusting sound or accessing other commonly used features. Windows Media Player 9 comes with about 20 "skins" for changing the look of the player, and more are available if Microsoft's Windows XP Plus pack is installed on the system.
Like its predecessor, Windows Media Player 9 offers only limited support for MP3 files, unless the user pays for an add-in product. The media program will play MP3s but won't rip files in the format without extra-cost, third-party components. But Microsoft has beefed up support for Windows Media Audio (WMA) files. Computer users can rip songs in standard WMA format, WMA variable rate and WMA Professional.
The Video Acceleration Settings control adds a new option for video smoothing. The new player now plays video CDs. Microsoft also has beefed up DVD audio, with settings supporting Home Theater speaker systems using Dolby Audio. But like its predecessor, the new player requires a third-party DVD decoder for viewing of DVD movies. Microsoft has no plans to provide one, the company said last month.
Read the entire story at Cnet.com here. Mind that although maybe YOU never use Windows Media Player, it is one of the most used players available.
Source: Cnet.com
