Spring Windows XP 'Fun Packs' Arrive

Following up on its winter-themed add-ons for Windows XP released last December, Microsoft on Tuesday issued new XP "Fun Packs" to celebrate the spring season.

The Fun Packs are designed to showcase digital media features in Microsoft's flagship operating system, adding functionality to Windows Media Player 9 and Movie Maker 2. New Power Toys are also available for Windows XP: a video screen saver and automatic desktop wallpaper changer.

"These special spring-themed Fun Packs are loaded with great extras that can help you to be even more creative while enjoying the built-in digital media and communications capabilities available in Windows XP," a Microsoft spokesperson told BetaNews.

Microsoft has added 3-D Alchemy and 3-D Picture visualizations with spring-themed backgrounds to Windows Media Player 9 Series. The Fun Pack also contain a new WMP blogging plug-in. Six new video titles, 3 music tracks, 5 music transitions and 50 sound effects have been added to Movie Maker 2.

For digital photos, the spring Fun Packs feature 15 new greeting card templates and five new title slides for Photo Story, a feature included in Plus! Digital Media Edition.

The new Fun Packs for spring are available for download free of charge from Microsoft's Windows XP Web site. The company has also posted new how-to articles for sprucing up photos and creating video packages.