Reprinted from a Microsoft press release:
REDMOND, Wash. – May 22, 2001 – Microsoft Corp. today announced the
immediate availability of Microsoft Windows Media 7.1 Player for
Pocket PC and announced a preview of a new wireless digital media guide for
mobile users, WindowsMedia.com Mobile.
Windows Media Player 7.1 for Pocket
PC is the first all-in-one media player to support wireless access to
digital audio and video for Pocket PC users,* as well as playback of
downloaded audio and video content. The player also includes breakthrough
Windows Media Audio and Video 8 codec technology providing the best-quality
audio and video in the smallest file size.
The new preview of
WindowsMedia.com Mobile provides mobile users with access to top-quality
Windows Media audio and video content, which can be streamed to a Pocket PC
over high-speed wireless Internet access such as Metricom’s Ricochet Network
or 802.11 Wireless LANs.
“The future of wireless streaming is here today with information and
entertainment just a click away for Pocket PC users,” said Dave Fester,
general manager of the Windows Digital Media Division at Microsoft. “The
launch today of these two key innovations for mobile users is a critical
milestone in the goal of delivering digital media any time, any place on any
device.”
Windows Media Player 7.1 for Pocket PC – The First All-In-One Mobile Media
Player
Windows Media Player 7.1 for Pocket PC brings the most common digital media
activities together in one player for Pocket PC users. This new player sets
a new standard by offering state of the art audio and video technology with
Windows Media Audio and Video 8, full support for streaming (including
wireless) and downloaded audio and video playback and MP3 music playback.
Key video improvements include full screen video playback (and a new
landscape mode) for home movies or streamed video, and updated support for
Windows Media Digital Rights Management technology. Integration with a PC
using Windows Media Player 7.x also enables easy transfers of digital music
to a Pocket PC. Other key improvements offered with Windows Media Player for
Pocket PC include the following:
Windows Media or MP3 files, or watch a movie or video, all in a single
playlist.
Pocket PC and on compact flash or other extra storage media, and adds them
to the user’s media library. It also can discover digital media located in
e-mail attachments.
quickly customize their player with new built-in skins management combined
with new skins designs. Users can also download additional skins or create
custom skins.
maximizes battery time and productivity. Users can listen to music on the
Pocket PC device while reading e-mail or reading an electronic book. Windows
Media Player 7.1 for Pocket PC can minimize the Player and still continue to
play music in the background, allowing users to work on other tasks or
activities while preserving precious memory resources and battery life.
Also, users can easily program a button on the Pocket PC to switch off the
screen while listening to audio to save battery resources.
WindowsMedia.com Mobile – Content on the Go for Wireless Users
Consumers and professionals on the go can now stay wirelessly connected to
the latest news, Internet radio, movie trailers, music and more directly on
their Pocket PC with WindowsMedia.com Mobile. Using a wireless modem or
network card together with the Ricochet Wireless Network, available in 18
cities and 25 airports across the United States, or via 802.11 wireless LAN,
wireless Pocket PC users can now enjoy the following news and entertainment:
Pocket PC from CNET, MSNBC, Audible (offering streamed audio versions of
Slate online magazine’s “Today’s Papers” and The Industry Standard), and
business news from Feedroom
Virgin, House of Blues, KFOG Radio, Cox Interactive Media, Clear Channel
Communications and cablemusic.com Inc.
Group and J-Records
FirstLook Inc. and FILMSPEED
Windows Media Player 7.1 for Pocket PC is available for download today for
owners of Compaq iPAQ Pocket PCs, the HP Jornada and the Casio Cassiopeia
Pocket PC models. Pocket PC owners can download and find more information
about Windows Media Player 7.1 for Pocket PC at
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/.
The preview of WindowsMedia.com Mobile is available today. Pocket PC users
can view the site with Pocket Internet Explorer at http://WindowsMedia.com/.
PC users can preview the site at http://Windowsmedia.com/Mobile (this site
is formatted for mobile users, so page sizes will be smaller). Windows Media
Player 7.1 for Pocket PC and a high-speed wireless Internet connection such
as Metricom’s Ricochet Network or 802.11 wireless LAN technology is required
to enjoy wireless streamed audio and video content.
