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Tuesday, August 06, 2002

Bill, Bill, Bill .... You Really Are Just Plain Cheap... I see, from CNET, that Windows Media Player 9 is coming out.  Here are two quotes that caught my eye: Like its predecessor, Windows Media Player 9 offers only limited support for MP3 files, unless the user pays for an add-in product. The media program will play MP3s but won't rip files in the format without extra-cost, third-party components. But Microsoft has beefed up support for Windows Media Audio (WMA) files. Computer users can rip songs in standard WMA format, WMA variable rate and WMA Professional. The Video Acceleration Settings control adds a new option for video smoothing. The new player now plays video CDs. Microsoft also has beefed up DVD audio, with settings supporting Home Theater speaker systems using Dolby Audio. But like its predecessor, the new player requires a third-party DVD decoder for viewing of DVD movies. Microsoft has no plans to provide one, the company said last month. I'm sorry everyone.  Let's be very, very honest here.  Microsoft is simply trying to keep their costs down.  I mean with that 36 billion dollars of cash on hand, it makes perfect sense that Media Player can't playback DVDs or create MP3s.  If Microsoft added these features, they would clearly owe licensing fees to the MP3 and DVD technology folks.  Now there is clearly an issue here with respect to third party software vendors.  I mean if Microsoft did put it in then the issue becomes they they are hurting MusicMatch and other third party ISVs.  But ... And this is an important but.  Think of the browser wars.  Microsoft argued in the federal courts that "The browser was part of the operating system".  Now they are basically trying to put the media player into the operating system -- without spending the money to do it right.  If they are going to do this then shouldn't they at least do it right?  It's a complex issue and I don't know the answer but: If they are going to force their bloated media code down to my computer And I have to have 3rd party products too Doesn't that just stink ? Microsoft.  Where do you want to go today? => Microsoft.  Where can we save (our) money today? 7:47:45 PM  Google It!  comment []