Microsoft Windows Media Player 10.0 Technical Beta

• Average user rating:
  Write your own review
• See all user reviews

Product summary

CNET editors' take

• Reviewed by: Jasmine France
• Edited by: Eliot Van Buskirk
• Reviewed on: 06/17/2004

Microsoft is once again reviving its media megastar Windows Media Player (WMP). Version 10.0 offers a more streamlined design, improved syncing with portable devices, and something called the Digital Media Mall. At this point, the Mall lets you shop at only two online media stores. That said, this is only the Technical Beta, and smart money says Microsoft will likely add more stores with the final release.


Upside: Window Media Player 10.0 Technical Beta has a more user-friendly interface, but the real standout improvements are the program's enhanced portable-device syncing and the Digital Media Mall. The Mall is fairly self-explanatory; as for the syncing improvements, WMP now offers driverless support for many more portable devices and the option to customize synchronization settings to sync automatically upon connection or transfer all newly acquired tunes automatically.

Downside: Currently, the Digital Media Mall contains only Napster and CinemaNow, although we expect more stores to be added before the final version is released. The most popular MP3 player, Apple's iPod is still noticeably absent from the compatible devices list. (It works only with iTunes.)

Outlook: Extended device coverage and timesaving sync features are welcome additions. If Microsoft also convinces a good selection of online media stores and services to sign on for its Digital Media Mall, Windows Media Player 10.0 could become a must-have for music fans on the Windows platform.

See more CNET content tagged:

online media,

digital media,

CinemaNow,

Microsoft Windows Media Player,

portable device

User reviews

• Average user rating: 0 stars Not yet available
  Back to product review
• My rating: 0 stars Write review

• Showing 1 of 1 user reviewSee 1 user review

• 4.0 stars

  "I think MS has a great program, but."

  by Warteman on April 13, 2005

  read more

• See 1 user review Write review

Similar products

• Microsoft Windows Media Player 9.0
  • Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5
  • Users' rating: 2.5 out of 5
• Windows Media Player 11
  • Editors' rating: 4.0 out of 5
  • Users' rating: 2.5 out of 5
• Adobe Photoshop CS3
  • Price: $181.99 - $239.00
• Adobe Acrobat 6.0 Standard (OEM)
  • Price: $48.00 - $105.89
• WordPerfect Office X4 Standard Edition - complete package
  • Price: $88.84 - $89.99

Where to buy Microsoft Windows Media Player 10.0 Technical Beta

This product is currently not in stock at any of our online merchants.

Find from our auction partner, eBay

Email me when this product is available