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In this issue:
Microsoft Releases Windows Media Player 11
by Arie Slob
Hello Windows users,
 This week Microsoft released Microsoft Windows Media Player 11 (WMP 11) for Windows XP. This latest version of Windows Media Player offers enhanced search and media management technologies, a visually driven user interface, and optimized support for portable music players.
"Windows Media Player 11 is the first media player to be truly designed with the digital entertainment lover in mind," said Mike Sievert, corporate vice president of Windows at Microsoft. "The fresh, exciting new look, the ability to find songs and videos in an instant, and the enhanced capabilities for syncing with portable devices are not only exactly what customers have asked us for, they're also a preview of what's to come in Windows Vista."
The new player is a huge improvement over previous versions, and should also offer better performance when it comes to indexing your media library, especially if you have a larger than usual collection of songs. There's also the new and improved device experience with shuffle- and reverse sync options and a dedicated category view for all media types.
The one thing missing from WMP 11 is iPod compatibility, so for the millions of people that use iPod, WMP 11 has nothing to offer you.
WMP 11 right now only has MTV's URGE online service integrated, although Microsoft is saying that several other services with similar technologies will soon join.
You can download WMP 11 for free from Microsoft, but it does require a Windows Genuine Advantage Validation.
WMP 11 for Windows XP SP2 can be downloaded from Microsoft's download [24.5 MB] site. Minimum and recommended system requirements for WMP 11 can be checked here.
You can also download a 64-bit version for Windows XP Professional x64 Edition as well as older WMP versions for Windows XP and other operating systems from Microsoft's WMP download page
Microsoft Delays Vista's RTM
Microsoft had initially set a target date of October 25th to have Windows Vista to go to Release To Manufacturing (RTM), but a few days before the 25th Microsoft's Platforms & Services Division co-president Jim Allchin told Mary Jo Foley at ZDNet that "We won't RTM in a week. We are in pretty good shape. And there are still months before (the January 2007) launch."
Early November now seems to be the target set for Vista's RTM. Microsoft has planned their business launch of Vista and Office 2007 on November 30 in New York City.
Microsoft Adjusts Windows Vista License
 The first publication of Windows Vista's End User License Agreement (EULA) last month drew a lot of criticism, mainly from "tech-enthusiasts" users, that it was too restrictive.
Part of the EULA that was the problem had stated that customers who purchased a retail version of the product could reassign the software "to another device one time." Now, the revised license reads as follows: "You may uninstall the software and install it on another device for your use. You may not do so to share this license between devices."
So you can now transfer your (retail) copy as many times as you want, provided you remove the previous installation.
This new wording of the EULA only applies to the retail version of the software. If you get Windows Vista with a new PC (OEM), or use Windows Anytime Upgrade [http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/37070041-1b90-4433-be0c-ab2855841b981033.mspx ] the license read: "The first user of the software may reassign the license to another device one time, but only if the license terms of the software you upgraded from allows reassignment."
You can download a copy of the Windows Vista EULA from Microsoft's Retail Software License Terms Web site.
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