REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 27, 2000 — Microsoft Corp. today released download statistics that show overwhelming consumer demand for Microsoft® Windows Media™ Player 7, the first all-in-one digital media player designed to appeal to mainstream computer users. More than 10 million copies of the player were downloaded in the first six weeks following its release. This rate of adoption shatters the adoption of such popular software as Internet Explorer 5 and services such as the Hotmail® Web-based e-mail service, which took four months and 18 months, respectively. Microsoft previously announced that Windows Media Player 7 shattered download records for a jukebox launch with 3.4 million downloads in its first 10 days of availability.
Recent data from Media Metrix Inc., pioneer and leader in Internet and digital media measurement worldwide, shows WindowsMedia.com with an August reach of 8.1 percent of all digital media users or 6.4 million unique visitors. In addition, Media Metrix data from July 2000 shows WindowsMedia.com is maintaining its position as the most popular audio and video guide on the Internet* and had over 2 million more unique users or 50 percent more than RealNetworks’ RealGuide.com.
“The incredible consumer demand for Windows Media Player 7 is strong confirmation that mainstream computer users have been waiting for an easy-to-use digital media player that brings everything together in one place,”
said Dave Fester, general manager of the Digital Media Division at Microsoft.
“The continuing success of WindowsMedia.com as the most popular audio and video on the Web speak volumes for the popularity of our partners’ content in the Windows Media Format.”
Windows Media Player 7 is the only software that delivers a complete, all-in-one experience, including digital audio and video playback, a jukebox, an Internet radio tuner, an integrated media guide from WindowsMedia.com, audio CD creation, one-click transfer of digital music to portable devices, and personalization to match the individual preferences of users. Windows Media Player 7 ends user confusion and the need to use several software programs to perform the most common digital music activities. Windows Media Player 7 can be downloaded free at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/mediaplayer/download/ (connect-time charges may apply).
About Windows Media
Windows Media is the leading digital media platform, providing unmatched audio and video quality to consumers, content providers, solution providers, software developers and corporations. Windows Media offers the industry’s only integrated rights-management solution and the most scalable and reliable streaming technology tested by independent labs. Windows Media Technologies includes Windows Media Player for consumers, Windows Media Services for servers, Windows Media Tools for content creation, and the Windows Media Software Development Kit (SDK) for software developers. Windows Media Player, available in 24
languages, is the fastest-growing media player. More information about Windows Media can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmedia/ .
About WindowsMedia.com
WindowsMedia.com ( http://windowsmedia.com/ ), part of the MSN network of Internet services, is the fastest-growing major audio-video guide on the Internet. WindowsMedia.com provides access to localized audio and video content to users worldwide, including major music and video events and entertainment from more than 1,000 content providers.
WindowsMedia.com features more than 60,000 downloadable songs, over 2,000 music videos, more than 2,000 Internet radio stations, daily live audio and video webcasts, and a powerful search engine for finding radio, video and broadband content.
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.
* As measured in unique visitors and reach by Media Metrix. Audio and video guide category defined by Microsoft and includes WindowsMedia.com, RealNetworks’ RealGuide.com, Yahoo Broadcast and MP3.com.
Microsoft, Windows Media, Hotmail and MSN 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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