Microsoft Previews Media Player 7.0
Microsoft has made a technology preview of its popular multimedia software, Windows Media Player, available for public download. This preview boasts several new features, including skins support and enhanced song and artist information.
This new version of Windows Media Player is said to feature "all-in-one" integration with the streaming media player, one-click CD playing and recording capabilities, an enhanced media library for managing and finding your favorite media with ease.
Working in conjunction with the WindowsMedia.com audio and video media guide, version 7.0 offers a media search, download, and playing utility, as well as an Internet radio station tuner.
The skinning community received an early glimpse of what Microsoft had in store for Media Player 7.0, after an e-mail sent by Microsoft requested the help of Winamp skin developers. Despite initial rumors that Microsoft was looking to skin the next version of Windows, it was Media Player Microsoft was inquiring about. Microsoft has long planned such an action and during a systems design review in August, even stated that Media Player needed to compete better with Sonique and Winamp.
Version 7.0 will allow users to change the skin of their player in the same manner as one can change the Winamp skin. Though the Media Player skins are based on the XML and JScript Internet languages, it will allow users to not only change the regular colors and interface, but the entire shape of the player itself.
With the rising popularity of portable devices, Media Player 7.0 brings one-click management for downloading and integrating songs onto your personal music devices, as well as a total user interface simplification to make it easier for people to use.
Media Player has been improved internally as well, with features that automatically adjust streaming content on a 28.8 Kbps modem to play at broadband quality. It also supports new visualization plug-ins for two and three-dimensional animations, much like those found in Sonique and Winamp.
Using the interactive All Music Guide on the Internet, users will also have immediate access to reviews, ratings, and discographies right from within the Media Player interface.
Microsoft stresses "This preview release is only recommended for technical evaluators and software developers," but is open to the public and can be downloaded from FileForum. Visit the Media Player 7.0 site for more information.