Microsoft is now readying its upgraded, Windows Media Player 11, with a beta release slated for Wednesday. So how does it look? Digital Music News grabbed an early copy, which is compatible with Windows XP systems. The application, which will house the upcoming, Urge music service from MTV, offers a wide range of enhancements over its predecessor. Windows Media Player 11 is heavily focused on graphic usability, and integrates album artwork within the library. For most users, that will represent a nice touch, though the bigger concern is navigating a library that often contains thousand of tracks. With that in mind, Microsoft offers a well-tailored search that is both fast and accurate, even with a large collection of poorly tagged tracks.

Read more and see screenshot at http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/#051506wmp But if you are lazy type, read the rest here -

For example, both device synchronization and CD burning are highly intuitive drag-n-drop processes, and both feature a “gas gauge” indicator to easily monitor how quickly things are filling up. Reverse synchronization is also part of the application, which makes sense for camera phones and MP3 players with recorders. Other touches include an integrated graphic equalizer, and the display of lyrics metadata. Some hiccups appeared, including compatibility issues with a Verizon V Cast, LG VX8100 phone, though it is unclear if that incident points to a larger device issue. Microsoft will release a beta version of the application to the public on Wednesday.

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Personally, I don't care much about Windows Media Player. A new release won't sound any better!

Typically Microsoft. Releasing sub-par software, continually upgrading untill it has becomes something quite usable (and has loads of functionalities) and in it's later versions they finally do something worthwhile usability wise. Hey, the new Office is really efficient UI-wise, so go MS

I have being using the new MS Office 12 for sometime now it works great very easy to get accustomed to, but there could be more improvement that can be made, though i am using the MS Office Enterprise Professional 12 beta version it works great, speed of controls needs to be worked on. I hope there will be an option of not using the scroll change to swap menus because that takes away a couple of milliseconds. else microsoft is working towards a good direction but a long way to go.

as for windows media, well it sucks, too bulky, and useless to me, winamp rocks, simple, clean, and light configuration.

Seun:

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Personally, I don't care much about Windows Media Player. A new release won't sound any better!

Seun, which media player do you prefer?

Microsoft seems to be very good at making bloatware. There's a significant difference between response times of version 9 and 10 -- because of the graphics.

I won't be surprised if the new player 11 is all buggy eye-candy.