Microsoft's media player beat goes on
C|Net | at | by Mike
Microsoft is setting itself up as a one-man band for subscriptions and services based on its Windows Media technology as part of a highly anticipated upgrade due next month, according to people familiar with the product.
The Windows Media 9 Player, which goes into public beta, or test, on Sept. 4, adds a new "Services" tab that initially allows consumers to sign up for a trial subscription to Pressplay, an online music service backed by Sony and Vivendi Universal. The move is part of Microsoft's increased emphasis on Web services and also an attempt to compete against similar offerings from competitors AOL Time Warner and RealNetworks, which are partners in a competing music service known as MusicNet.