Microsoft unveils new Media Player for the Mac

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MS may be starting to "get it:"

My test of software is always how easy it is to operate on first usage and whether or not it is an improvement to the previous version.

MS dropped their dorky PC skin and integrated the WMP skin into the Panther scheme. Can't complain about that. Imitation is the greatest form of flattery.

Next, played some old WMP files on the new player. FAR SUPERIOR experience. Before, if I changed the size of the window, the pic stopped, the sound continued, took awhile for the software to adjust itself. And the deterioration of pic quality as the window was enlarged was fast and rapid. Not so with the new player. Progress has been made.

Finally, on the easy scale, too many devils. Hard to find the MS content - used favorites to get to MSN.com (let me use my default browser instead of overriding my preferences and opening IE - HUGE improvement in customer service). But I end up at a Yahoo page where I have to give my name, create a password, blah-blah-blah. I am once again the slave to a marketing man.

Having WMP 9 is appreciated because I will be able to see internet content that may not be available in Quick Time or Real Player. And I may see even if the Zdnet videos run better (atrocious playback with both WMP and RP- why Zdnet is not using QT is beyond me).

So, congratulations to MS for catching up to Quick Time in quality of playback, for looking like iTunes (but not nearly the app iTunes is for internet content, ease of usage, etc.) and for making sure the Mac user has as much access to net content as PC users do (they don't have to but wise to avoid lawsuits for monopolizing....)

I will use it when I must. Seems to me they could have saved some money, however, by just using open source formats and let the ISV's and Apple develop the media players while they concentrate on fixing their enterprise software and trying to catch up to Mac OS X before it gets way beyond them when Longhorn comes out.

Posted by: mlindl   Posted on: 11/08/03 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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