Gates goes to Hollywood...
ZDNet | at | by Mike
Microsoft, in hot pursuit of digital-media dollars, is learning to party with Hollywood. For the launch of Windows Media 9, Bill Gates shared the stage with movie director James Cameron, Beatles producer Sir George Martin, and rapper/actor LL Cool J.
Bill Gates goes to...Hollywood? As Microsoft delves more deeply into the digital-media business, the company is courting Hollywood and entering into fierce competition with front-runner RealNetworks. The new Windows Media 9, which Microsoft has spent four years and $500 million developing, launched Wednesday at an extravagant, star-studded party. The software offers improved media management for businesses, as well as speedy, high-quality playback for consumers. Microsoft has proven it can win over end users, but can it also charm movie and record studios? The first challenge will be to convince copyright owners that, if they use WM, their content won't be pirated.