REDMOND, Wash., Feb. 29, 2000 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the immediate availability of the Microsoft® Windows Media™ Player for Palm-size PCs, which gives owners of Palm-size PC devices from Compaq, Casio and Hewlett-Packard (HP) Co. the ability to play CD-quality digital music. Owners of Palm-size PCs will now be able to enjoy hundreds of thousands of digital music tracks and the hottest new music in the Windows Media format. This release continues the unprecedented support for the Windows Media format from the top consumer electronics manufacturers.
Windows Media gives consumers the quality, freedom and technology to take their music anywhere. Some features of the Windows Media Player for Palm-size PCs include:
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State-of-the-art digital audio support for Windows Media and MP3 audio formats
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The ability to play secure content in the Windows Media format
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Easily customized interface
“skins” -
Clear and intuitive playlist management
The new Windows Media Player will allow customers using the Microsoft Windows® CE operating system to take advantage of the superior Windows Media compression technology enabling two hours of CD-quality music on a 64MB device using the Windows Media format, versus only one hour using the MP3 format. In addition, the Windows Media Player for Palm-size PCs also provides support for Windows Media digital rights management technology, offering access to hundreds of thousands of hours of music from top artists.
“From the beach to the gym to the subway, Palm-size PC owners can now turn their Windows CE-based devices into portable digital music players,”
said Dave Fester, director of marketing, Digital Media Division, Microsoft.
“This is a significant step forward in our efforts to enable consumers to enjoy Windows Media-formatted digital music anywhere and on any device.”
Today’s announcement with Casio, Compaq and HP adds to the industry-leading support of the Windows Media format and digital rights management technology that also includes portable device manufacturers such as RCA/Thomson Lyra, S3/Diamond Rio, Sony, Creative Labs Inc. and I-Jam, as well as audio chip manufacturers including Cirrus Logic, Texas Instruments Inc., Atmel Corp. and Portal Player Inc.
Availability
The Windows Media Player is now available for download for Casio Cassiopeia E-100 and E-105, the Compaq Aero® 1500 and 2100 Series and the HP Jornada 430SE. Palm-size PC owners can download the free Windows Media Player** and find more information at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/ .
Win a Free Palm-size PC
From today until April 14, 2000, anyone who downloads the new Windows Media Player for Palm-size PC for free can enter a random drawing to win one of the new Palm-size PCs from Casio, Compaq or HP.* Three different random drawings will be held; at each drawing, Microsoft will be giving away a Casio Cassiopeia E-105, a Compaq Aero 2180 and a HP Jornada 430SE. For official rules and additional information, please visit http://www.mardenkane.com/microsoft/mediaplayer/rules.htm .
About Windows Media
Windows Media is the leading digital media platform, providing consumers, content providers, solution providers, software developers and corporations with unmatched audio and video quality. Windows Media Technologies, which includes Windows Media Player, Windows Media Services, Windows Media Tools and the Windows Media SDK, is available for free download** at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/ . The Windows Media Player is the fastest-growing media player. More than 60 million copies have been downloaded to date – growing by more than one every second.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software 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.
*No purchase necessary. Open to U.S. residents 18 years or older. Game ends April 14, 2000. For full rules, see promotional site.
Microsoft, Windows Media 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.
**Connect-time charges may apply.
For more information, press only:
Krys Card, Shandwick International for Microsoft, (310) 201-8838, [email protected]
Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft home page at http://microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages.
