BIOS: Technology Means Business

Microsoft and MTV Networks, a division of Viacom, today unveiled the new Windows Media Player 11 and offered an early look at the URGE digital music service during the kickoff keynote address for the 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates was joined onstage by MTV Networks’ Music Group President Van Toffler and music superstar Justin Timberlake to preview the ‘seamless’ integration of Microsoft Windows Media Player 11 and MTV Networks’ URGE, which is designed to bring the emotional connection of music to the forefront of the digital entertainment experience.

Gates and Toffler highlighted the fresh, streamlined design for Windows Media Player 11 with optimised device support and faster search capabilities that promise to provide instant access to the entire URGE catalogue of more than 2 million songs. Set to debut this year, URGE will offer a deep well of programming and editorial to guide your digital music experience, including exclusive content from MTV Networks’ MTV, VH1 and CMT brands.

‘Microsoft and MTV Networks have combined their strengths to dramatically redefine how Windows users discover and enjoy music,’ Gates said. ‘The result is a seamless melding of software and entertainment expertise that makes it easy for people to discover new music and listen to old favourites.’

‘Our audience has come to expect us to deliver the world’s best music programming on MTV, VH1 and CMT,’ Toffler said. ‘URGE will be a major new way for artists across all genres - from alt-country to zydeco - to connect with their fans and find new audiences through multiplatform exposure from MTV Networks and on one of the world's most popular digital media players, Windows Media Player.’

Windows Media Player 11 addresses large music libraries with core advancements that include a simplified user experience and improved performance. Windows Media Player 11 should make it easier to manage all media through innovative design improvements from Windows Vista, including visual navigation of entire media libraries, and simplified, high-performance device synchronisation.

Additional performance enhancements let you scroll through and access music faster than any other media player, according to Microsoft, whether the library contains 50 or 50000 tracks. The new wordwheel search brings an entire catalogue of music to your fingertips, providing ‘lightning-fast’ search results that instantly narrow with each keystroke.

Windows Media Player 11 with URGE will be available in Windows Vista, and is also scheduled to be available for Windows XP in the first half of 2006. Additional URGE features, functionality, and related partnerships will be announced in coming months as URGE is introduced with Windows Media Player 11.

[Best Audio Software Pricing UK]
[Best Audio Software Pricing US]