MS Unveils Wireless Windows Media Player
Microsoft has unveiled yet another key product in their future plans for world media domination, with the announcement of Windows Media Player 7.1 for Pocket PC. Packing in features to enable
the "wireless delivery of streamed audio and video," Microsoft has positioned Windows Media Player for Pocket PC to potentially enable true wireless media delivery in the near future, something which many consumers have desired for quite sometime.
The new WMP 7.1 for Pocket PC adds support for the newly developed Windows Media Audio and Video 8 codec technology, along
with the development of landscape video playback.
Microsoft will also be releasing a preview of WindowsMedia.com Mobile, which will feature a Web site guide to high speed wireless
digital content. Users can access this content through systems such as Metricom's Ricochet Network which clocks in at 128Kbit and is available in 18 cities and 25 airports across the United States. WindowsMedia.com Mobile's guide
will also feature digital content delivered by 802.11 Wireless LANs in addition to Metricom's Ricochet Network.
Microsoft is calling on a large selection of content providers for the WindowsMedia.com Mobile preview, with high speed digital audio news content selections available from CNET, MSNBC, Audible, along with streaming radio from Village Voice, RollingStone, Radio Free Virgin, House of Blues, KFOG, Cox Interactive, Clear
Channel, and CableMusic. Streaming video will be available from VastVideo, FirstLook, and FILMSPEED, offering up movie trailers and such via the service.
Microsoft stated that they will continue to work with Intel's XScale microarchitecture to provide DRM (Digital Rights Management) and allow the optimization of Windows Media Audio, Video. This collaboration will allow developers of 2.5G and 3G wireless devices a basis to build their devices on, allowing more efficient delivery
to market of innovative wireless solutions in the future.
For more information, visit microsoft.com/windowsmedia or download Windows Media Player 7.1 for Pocket PC via FileForum.