REDMOND, Wash., June 23, 2003 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the launch of Windows Mobile (TM) 2003 software for Pocket PCs, taking mobile digital media to a new level of performance and quality through native support for Microsoft® Windows Media®
9 Series.
A new feature of Windows Mobile 2003, Windows Media Player 9 Series for Pocket PC, offers playback of home movies created with Windows Movie Maker 2 or digital photo albums created with Plus! Photo Story, a feature of Plus! Digital Media Edition. In addition, enhanced support for Wi-Fi within the Windows Mobile software allows users to experience high-quality Windows Media broadband video content (up to 300 kbps), which, prior to this release, could be enjoyed only by PC users.
“Built-in support for Windows Media 9 Series in Windows Mobile-based devices allows us to combine the best-performing technology for digital media with the coolest Pocket PC devices around,” said Dave Fester, general manager of the Windows®
Digital Media Division at Microsoft.
“This means users can extend many of the digital media experiences they can get on their PC today to their Windows Mobile-based device — all with great audio and video quality.”
Using the breakthrough audio and video compression of Windows Media 9 Series, combined with other advances, makes a range of new digital media experiences possible, including the following:
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Playback and storage of more high-quality audio and video. Users can enjoy mobile playback of Windows Media Audio (WMA) 9 Series, Windows Media Video (WMV) 9 Series, Windows Media Video 9 Image (using Plus! Photo Story) and Windows Media Audio 9 Voice content, as well as improved support for MP3 files.
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Improved Web streaming and fast streaming support. Users of Windows Mobile software who are streaming content from a Windows Server (TM) 2003-based server can enjoy Fast Streaming, which can effectively eliminate buffering delays for broadband users. With multiple-bit-rate (MBR) support, Windows Media Player 9 Series for Pocket PC can automatically determine the bit rate best suited for a user’s device and connection and adjust the playback accordingly.
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Wi-Fi capabilities. Performance increases in Windows Media Player 9 Series for Pocket PC allow users to enjoy high-quality broadband content streamed over a Wi-Fi connection at speeds of up to 300 kbps.*
Extending the Digital Media Experience From the PC to Windows Mobile-Based Devices
Using Windows Media 9 Series, Windows Movie Maker 2 and the new Plus! Digital Media Edition, Windows Mobile 2003 software for Pocket PCs connects users to powerful features and content available through their PC:
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Support for key features of Plus! Digital Media Edition. Users now can view Digital photo albums created using Plus! Photo Story on Windows Mobile 2003 software-based devices with Windows Media Player 9 Series for Pocket PC. Also available today is a special Plus! Photo Story created by Olympic gold medal speedskater Apolo Ohno. Users of Windows Mobile software can download this Photo Story at http://www.apoloantonohno.com/ .
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Enjoy the latest news and entertainment content with Plus! Sync & Go. With this feature of Plus! Digital Media Edition, Pocket PC customers can synchronize information directly from top Internet content providers, such as MSNBC, USA TODAY, CBS MarketWatch, NPR and Comedy Central, and stay up to date on news, sports and current market conditions. Plus! Sync & Go also helps users keep favorite music and video playlists up to date by synchronizing with their personal media library on the PC.
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Play home movies on a Pocket PC. With Windows Movie Maker 2, a feature of the Windows XP operating system, consumers can edit home movies and save them using built-in Pocket PC profiles. Videos can be transferred easily to a Pocket PC device for playback.
Special Promotions
Beginning today, U.S. consumers who purchase a Windows Mobile 2003-based Pocket PC device can receive $10 off the purchase price of Plus! Digital Media Edition via a mail-in rebate. More information is available at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/plus/ .
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.
* Integrated Wi-Fi capabilities not available on all Pocket PC models. Check with manufacturer for details. Wi-Fi connection may require additional, separately purchased service subscription.
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The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
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