REDMOND, Wash., May 22, 2003 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that Amazon.com, one of the world’s leading online retailers, has selected Windows Media®
Services 9 Series, a feature of the recently released Windows Server (TM) 2003, to make available its entire library of song samples. Fast Streaming technology in the new server delivers a virtual instant-on playback experience for users of Windows Media Player 9 Series when they are sampling music clips offered through Amazon.com’s music store. Loudeye Corp. was instrumental in deploying this technology, which allows consumers to enjoy this enhanced service at Amazon.com as well as Borders.com, CDNOW.com and VirginMega.com, all of which are powered by Amazon.com.
“Amazon.com is always striving to provide customers with the best possible online shopping experience by using the most powerful and innovative technologies,”
said Curtis Kopf, director of digital for Amazon.
“The ability to provide instant-on, fast-streaming audio samples with Windows Media 9 Series virtually eliminates waiting times and enables our customers to have instantly gratifying listening experiences.”
“Amazon.com continues to be one of the most popular places for online shopping on the Web with its vast library of rich and continuously growing content,” said Dave Fester, general manager of the Windows®
Digital Media Division at Microsoft.
“With the addition of Windows Media 9 Series and Windows Server 2003, Microsoft is pleased to help Amazon.com deliver exceptional preview opportunities to its shoppers.”
About Windows Media
Windows Media is the leading digital media platform, used by consumers, content providers, solution providers, software developers and corporations throughout the world. The new Windows Media 9 Series will power the next wave of digital media, delivering the best playback experience, unmatched audio and video quality, and integrated optional digital rights management technology, and is the most comprehensive platform for developing digital media products and services. The Windows Media platform includes Windows Media Player; Windows Media Services, the powerful streaming server for distributing content; Windows Media Encoder for content creation; Windows Media Audio and Video for the best-quality audio and video; Windows Media DRM to help protect content; and the Windows Media Software Development Kit for software developers. Windows Media Player, available in 26 languages, is the fastest-growing and now leading media player. More information about Windows Media can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmedia/ .
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.
Microsoft, Windows Media, Windows Server and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
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