WinInfo Short Takes: Week of February 10
WinInfo | at | by Mike
WMP 9, Windows Movie Maker 2 Off to Fast Start
Microsoft announced this week that Windows Media Player (WMP) 9 and Windows Movie Maker 2 are off to record-breaking starts with 14 million and 3 million downloads, respectively, in their first 30 days of availability. With more than five downloads every second, WMP 9 nearly doubled the number of downloads that the previous digital-music jukebox software record holder, WMP 7, experienced. I've been working with both products for months and still find them to be the best overall solutions in their respective categories. If you're into digital media, take a look at these products; they just might surprise you. Besides, Microsoft isn't force-feeding the products with a new Windows version, which is a good sign.
Intel Centrino to Ship in Mid-March
Intel will release its next mobile CPU chipset family, the Centrino, on March 12. The chipset, formerly code-named Banias, also includes dedicated silicon for 802.11b wireless networking and features Pentium 4-level performance with better battery life and power-management functionality than the current-generation Pentium III-M chips offer. Intel says that numerous PC makers will be on board with new notebook and Tablet PC designs when Centrino hits the market next month. If you're a mobile warrior or are looking for a new portable computer, you might want to wait for the Centrino generation of machines.