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Originally Posted by SpaceDust
Janak, as an MVP I'm fairly certain you're aware of and understand how the OEM/Microsoft partnership works with regard to the ROMs, so I find it hard to believe you're blaming Microsoft for not providing the updated codecs to the public. The blame should be pointed squarely at the OEMs for failing to live up to your perception of their obligation to you.
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Oh, I'm fully aware, but I'm not happy with that arrangement. In Pocket PC 2002, we had "End-User Updates", or EUUs, in which Windows Media Player updates were delivered -- using CABs that were untouched, straight from Microsoft. We've regressed from there to the situation where OEMs have to assemble and distribute the ROM, which they tend to be less proactive in doing.
Also, it's in Microsoft's interest to promote Windows Media, right? Why not at least provide a RAM installer for WMP10? That would sidestep the whole issue (it'd bring up the RAM issue, but at least that's mitigable). Again, Microsoft used to do this: WMP 7 (or was it 7.1)? was released as a RAM download.
So it's not quite open-and-shut as you suggest. OEMs often won't bother, because
they don't have a vested interest in Windows Media. But Microsoft does.
I'm also aware that Apple is a different situation, but currently their approach is winning in the media space. If Microsoft hopes to compete they've got to change tacks from alienating customers in the portable media space. Pocket PCs aren't
that cheap.
--janak