Windows enthusiast and journalist Paul Thurrott has just posted some new information concerning Windows Media Player 11. Microsoft intends to release WMP11 (Codename: Polaris) as an XP compatible version of the Windows Longhorn media player.
Microsoft"s original plans for Windows Media Player (WMP) 11-- formerly code-named Aurora--were fairly low-key, with just a few minor new features. That"s all changed: Microsoft has canceled Aurora, and the company is moving the Longhorn media player to XP. Now code-named Polaris, WMP 11 will be a major release. There"s just one problem: Instead of shipping in November, as per the original plan, WMP 11 will now ship in a public beta during that month, coinciding with Longhorn Beta 2. The final release is roughly scheduled for early 2006.