New look for Windows Media Player
Platform : Windows XP
Type: freeware
Manufacturer: Microsoft
Size: 22.5Mb
Rating: 4
Verdict:
Well worth a look, but remember - it's beta software
System Requirements:
This Beta version of Windows Media Player gives a taste of how Windows Vista
will look as well as giving the appearance of this media player an overhaul.
The player looks much cleaner with a much better use of screen space. Each
task tab can also be used to access a menu with more options, much more
intuative than the old version. The main menu is now accessed with a right click
anywhere in the program frame.
Although this is beta and not a final product, we did not encounter any
problems with the player. Unfortunately none of the premium content is available
in the UK as yet.
When the
Urge
music service becomes available it is claimed that there will be two million
songs with exclusives from MTV, VH1 and CMT and 130 radio stations. Protected
content will not be compatible with iPods. For a list of compatible media
players see the
Microsoft
PlaysForSure website.
The copying of music to devices is also easier with a visual guage to show
how much space is available.
The library can now include recorded TV programmes.
Backup options are also improved, collectioned burnt to CD can now span
several discs or you can make a data disk for backups.