Windows Media Player
Windows Media Player is a software media player used for playing audio and video on personal computers. Produced by Microsoft, it is available free of charge for Microsoft Windows. Microsoft also makes free versions for other operating systems including Pocket PC, Mac OS, and Solaris, but these tend to lag behind the Windows versions in features and the time of release.
Besides playing media files, Windows Media Player can also copy music to a compact disc, synchronise content with an MP3 player, and let users buy music from one of several online music stores.
Windows Media Player competes with other freeware programs such as RealNetworks' RealPlayer, Nullsoft's Winamp, and Apple Computer's QuickTime.
Windows Media Player comes bundled with the Windows operating system; however, the newest versions of the player are meant to require the newest versions of the OS. Some view this practice as an echo of Microsoft's success in driving out Netscape Communications Corporation from its dominant position in the web browser market, only this time, they contend Microsoft is attempting to drive its competitors in the streaming media market out of business.
In March 2004, the European Commission fined Microsoft €497 million and ordered the company to provide a version of Windows without Windows Media Player, claiming Microsoft "broke European Union competition law by leveraging its near monopoly in the market for PC operating systems onto the markets for work group server operating systems and for media players". Microsoft is currently appealing the ruling.
Major versions
See also
