Microsoft Brands Corona, Announces Launch Date

Microsoft on Monday announced that its next-generation digital media platform, code-named Corona, would go by the official moniker Windows Media 9 Series. A public beta release, including new audio and video compression, a streaming server, a new encoder and software development kit will be released September 4 at a launch event in Los Angeles.

"Digital media has the potential to redefine the possibilities for new experiences and services over the Internet, in the living room and in companies around the world," said Microsoft's vice president of the Windows Digital Media Division, Will Poole. "Windows Media 9 Series is designed to deliver the major step forward in functionality and performance the industry needs to realize this potential."

Microsoft will follow up the beta launch with a two-day conference to promote development with Windows Media 9 Series. According to Microsoft, the "Windows Media 9 Series Technical Summit will provide content producers, IT professionals and application developers with an opportunity to learn in depth about the dramatic improvements and new opportunities offered by the Windows Media 9 Series platform."

The news from Redmond comes as Apple releases an updated QuickTime platform before Macworld begins Wednesday. QuickTime 6 supports full MPEG-4 playback and authoring, in addition to a new streaming standard promising instant-on capabilities.