Windows Media Player 11 Coming in 2006

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.windowsitpro.com/Article/ArticleID/46537/46537.html?Ad=1' target='_blank'>http://www.windowsitpro.com/Article/ArticleID/46537/46537.html?Ad=1</a><br /><br /></div><i>"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."</i><br /><br />Beta media player on a beta OS? Sounds like a stellar combination. ;-) I am looking forward to seeing a beta of Longhorn though once they get the new GUI bits slapped into place.

[Darius Wey]

I'm really looking for improvements in the Sync department. WMP10 has its faults, and I'm hoping the next revision will solve all this. Well that, and now looking at the mobile devices platform, I'm also crossing my fingers that WMP11 Mobile (1) will be a step in the right place, and (2) features a better upgrade policy.

[Vincent Ferrari]

Five bucks says it won't involve new codecs for WMP 10 and every device using 10 will be SOL. In fact, MS's history almost demands it :?