Microsoft to unveil media format's name
C|Net | at | by Mike
Microsoft on Monday will announce its crown digital media technology, code-named Corona, officially will be called Windows Media 9 Series. The new technology also will compete against products from Apple Computer and RealNetworks. Both companies deliver players, authoring and server software for other operating systems, not just Windows. Microsoft on Monday also will reveal that Pioneer Electronics plans to support Windows Media file formats in its upcoming Digital Network Entertainment (DNE) line of products. Pioneer will use Window Media file formats in the first DNE device, DigitaLibrary, for delivering secure digital content. Consumers would retrieve digital media in Corona file formats from select Internet sites using the entertainment device. Microsoft has been marshalling to gain widespread device support for Windows Media formats. The strategy, in part, is a way of spurring consumer adoption in the face of content provider resistance, say analysts. The software titan estimates that 30 million devices will support Windows Media file formats by the end of the year.