Microsoft Plays The Record Companies' Tune
Post | at | by Mike
Microsoft likes to talk about how its new Windows XP operating system will power up a new level of digital-music possibilities on your PC. But some of these features have more to do with what the recording industry is asking for than what music fans want. The changes go beyond the role of MP3 files in XP's Windows Media Player software. Microsoft has already drawn some boos for leaving out the ability to encode songs in the popular format. Although XP's software, like earlier versions, can play back MP3 files, users will have to plug in extra-cost third-party software to create MP3s.