Microsoft to release Longhorns Media Player on XP - Polaris
Posted on 29/05/05 17:33 by Dan Bell                             
Microsoft to release Longhorns Media Player on XP - Polaris

I try to keep an eye on Microsofts activity for their next OS Longhorn, and a good place to get reliable information is from Paul Thurrott. He's a Windows enthusisast for sure, but he is also not afraid to call a spade a spade. At least in the many years I have read his work, this is my feeling. Anyway, here he has an interesting exclusive about a next generation Media Player. I'm sure it's true, but for the life of me I can't figure out why Microsoft is doing this. But I can guess.

Exclusive: WMP 11 to Be Major Release; Beta This November 
Microsoft's original plans for Windows Media Player (WMP) 11--formerly code-named Aurora--were fairly low-key, with just a few minor new features. That's all changed: Microsoft has canceled Aurora, and the company is moving the Longhorn media player to XP. Now code-named
Polaris, WMP 11 will be a major release. There's just one problem:

Instead of shipping in November, as per the original plan, WMP 11 will now ship in a public beta during that month, coinciding with Longhorn Beta 2. The final release is roughly scheduled for early 2006. You heard it here first.

This is odd indeed and we have to wonder what would spawn such an idea. Microsoft should not feel a pressure to do something like this, unless they know something we don't. As far as I can tell on my PC, Media Player 9 is just fine and is in line with all other players at the moment. But, I also know when MS does something it is in accordance with a grand plan so my curiosity is piqued.

In addition after you check out Paul's blog on the weeks news at this link, you may wish to head over to the home page as he has quite a few Xbox 360 screenshots of various games such as Quake 4, FIFA '06, Madden 206, NBA 2K6, Need For Speed: Most Wanted etc. They can be found on the left index of the page. I must say after reading the hype I am not too impressed. Of course static images cannot do a game justice.

Source: Paul Thurrott Win Supersite

Reactions
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By BitRate, Sun 29 May 2005 18:55
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Sounds like M$ is frantic about the adoption of DRM and want to ensure that they have a media player that works in conjunction with Intel's new embedded DRM technology. Then again this might be yet another "carrot & stick" tactic to tide users over until Blowhorn comes out. Of course, the media player will be embedded with the usual spyware for monitoring users playing habits and keeping a log of ripped/burned mp3 files downloaded off the net. I for one will not use any more malware infested Trojanware from M$. They can piss off if they think users are going to put up with more of their bloated shitware anymore.
By THELeech, Sun 29 May 2005 23:28
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It just keeps getting better and better. I thought wmp 10 was bad, 10 is just 9 with a fancy skin and advertising for legal music downloads. I have tried 10 and it is slow and laggy. 11 will need at least 3ghz and 1gb of ram!!! i know that winamp is dead now but im very interested in the dev of Quintessential Media Player. O and what ever happen to version numbers with something inbetween where the devolper acually fixed bugs and toke suggestions like 9.1 9.5 all Micro$oft wants to do is make money and it showsbiggrin
By FreqNasty, Mon 30 May 2005 08:42
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Dan The Man, "I must say after reading the hype I am not too impressed. Of course static images cannot do a game justice." As Yoda once said, you will be, you will be!
By Roj, Mon 30 May 2005 15:31
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Media Player Classic. Sod off, Microsoft.

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