Print - XP Reloaded: Microsoft Unleashes Windows Media Player 10

Today Microsoft released the final version of Windows Media Player (WMP) 10, the latest rendition of its all-in-one digital media management and jukebox application. WMP 10 builds off the success of the previous version, adding a cleaner, simpler UI; integration with several online music and video stores through what Microsoft calls the Digital Media Mall; and support for a new generation of subscription-based services and devices.

"We've upgraded our digital media capabilities pretty dramatically with our new Windows Media Player 10 release," Dave Fester, general manager of Windows Digital Media Division, said at a reviewers workshop in August. "We want to upgrade the existing Windows XP installed base and give them new media experiences."

WMP 10 integrates with online music and video services from CinemaNow, Musicmatch, MusicNow, Napster, Wal-Mart Music Downloads, and MSN Music, providing users with a central location to discover, download, and subscribe to digital media content. The player is also compatible with more than 70 portable devices, although, notably, not Apple Computer's ubiquitous iPod. In tandem with the release of WMP 10, Microsoft partner Creative has also shipped the first Portable Media Center (PMC), a portable device that lets users enjoy digital photos, music, video, and recorded TV shows on the go.

The final version of WMP is now available for download from the Microsoft Web site. For my exhaustive review of this product, please visit the SuperSite for Windows.

I've just downloaded and installed WMP 10 and I must say I'm not impressed. WMP 9 has been my main player for some time now, but WMP 10 omits some features that I used frequently in the previous version. Quick access buttons to features such as 'shuffle' or 'repeat' have gone - I now have to go round the houses in the menus. The excellent radio guide is now gone, in favour of the pay-for services, with no access to the old guide. The skins library is hidden away in the menus too. It may look nice - but there's no hiding the fact that things have been taken away from WMP10, things that I'm going to miss :(

Media player is the nastiest bit of bloatware I've ever seen in my life. It's main purpose is to shut out other DRM systems and channel you to the pay content whose providers have paid MS to exploit their monopoly. No wonder the EU is angry about it. Still, I'm sure it was easier for you to cut and paste in Microsoft's press release than consider that...

Like the guy said: NO RADIO They removed almost all the free stations and most of the free ones now sound like crap unless you pay for them!! DO NOT INSTALL if you value your radio!

OMG, paco what a dork. You have not even installed it. There are now 5 different music stores I can purchase tracks from all from the same interface. I can now look for tracks in any store and purchase the cheapest one. Wal-Mart has tracks for 88cents! I am guessing with "other" you mean iTunes. I am curious how many stores does iTunes allow you to purchase music from?

Radio tuner is there but hard to find. To find it: 1. Go to 'Guide' then select 'Radio'. 2. Make sure you set USA as your international default by using the 'International WindowsMedia.com' link at the bottom of the page. 3. Go to 'Guide'->'Radio' again and you'll find the link to the radio Tuner on the right hand side of the page. If that doesn't work, it stops working or you don't want to change your international settings, the Radio Tuner is available at http://windowsmedia.com/radiotuner/MyRadio.asp

The things you say aren't there or accessible are if you use the Help index. The shuffle/repeat is still there.See Help Playback Controls or use index. Shuffle is in the lower right corner. Also see "To Play a Playlist." The old radio guide is there. Many free stations. If you use the keyboard shortcuts, it will speed your access to the menus. Essentially *nothing* is missing that was in WMP 9, and features are added. There are more radio choices not less. You can also access beta.radio.msn The skins library is at View>Skin Chooser. Download skin-- chose more skins.

For "XP Reloaded" read "Windows 9x abandoned". There are still more PCs out there, especially in developing countries, running Windows 98 than anything else. But since M$ chooses to ignore its customers, I guess it won't be able to sell music to users of these older "clunkers", leaving the market open to others. I guess one company's arrogance is another's opportunity.

It would seem like you can only select stations that are listed under the radio tuner link above. I don't think there's any way to play stations that provide a url on their website, cos with mp10 there's no url box to type/paste it into.

After seeing this version I was horified. I played with it for a bit, but I couldn't find some of my favorite stations, like radioambient(or a way to put them in), mostly pay sites and MSN marketing. In fact it was so laden with marketing, it was shameful. Very pretty interface though.. reminded me of AOL. Anyway it scared me enough to reurn to my last restore point. I wanted no traces of this Peice of software on my machine. I was very dissapointed I actually liked WMP 9...

Can no longer use the buttons when it's minimized to the taskbar. I'm very disappointed. I hope I can get the old player back....

Anonymous wrote "Can no longer use the buttons when it's minimized to the taskbar. I'm very disappointed. I hope I can get the old player back.... " To turn that feature on - right click the taskbar, choose toolbars, and check Windows Media Player All of the features are still there just look and ask questions

I hate Media Player 10 it is a big step backwards. If it a'int broken don't fix it. I think Media Player 9 beckons!

Is there a skin for wmp 10 that adds all the functionality of 10, but with the layout of 9?

WMP10 is a triumph of the corporate agenda over the needs of the user. I think Microsoft has finally erradicated any pretense of ergonomic design from this gradually deteriorating series. Just sit your mum down in front of Media Player 10 and ask her to do something; you might as well expect her to fashion a hydrogen fuel cell from marzipan. Very poor, Must do Better!!!!

I have always hated 10 also, its a classic example on how MSoft force and bully people into doing things they do not and never will want to do. @ Microsoft general This kind of small minded attitude is thought the windows system, its darn enjoying to say the least, and NO i will not flipping do as you say, I have a damn fee mind for gods sake, and a friggin brain, and i plan to keep using them the way i want too. If you run a firewall other than the windows one, have you noticed latly, that if you block port 80 out, on MSN messenger, that it now refuses to let you login, when a few revisions before it was ok, this is because MSoft force you to see the banners at the bottom, meaning there forcing you, to allow port 80, witch means a security risk if your msn messenger gets hijacked… need I say more, loads of idot things like this about them. Its lucky there are plenty more Players and software out there, that don’t come from MSoft. Mike

Why is it that when I right click my taskbar and choose toolbars that there is no "windows media player" option? I can't use mini mode!!

Even if the taskbar media player is active the buttons on my keyboard will not work. And no it's not the keyboard. They all work with WMP9 so why not now?