Amazon.com is expected to announce a deal with Microsoft on Thursday to use the latest version of the software giant"s digital media technology to stream music samples from its Web site.
Amazon will use Microsoft"s Windows Media Services 9 (WM9), with encoding services provided by digital media services provider LoudEye. The deal will also affect sample streams at Borders.com, CDNow.com and VirginMega.com, which outsource their e-commerce sites through Amazon.
Amazon already offers samples in Windows Media and RealNetworks formats for CDs it sells over its site. But Microsoft touted the deal as a step forward in the quality of experience for online shoppers. Microsoft claims WM9 solves the problem of "buffering" delays related to older streaming media technology.
"The ability to provide instant-on, fast-streaming audio samples with Windows Media 9 Series virtually eliminates waiting times and enables our customers to have instantly gratifying listening experiences," Dave Fester, general manager of the Windows Digital Media division at Microsoft, said in a statement.