Windows Media Player 11

With the exception of adding support for subscription-based music services, there was not much to like about Windows Media Player 10. In fact, even that one feature, which was supposed to make WMP 10 more attractive than iTunes, turned out to be buggy. The latest Windows Media Player 11 features an entirely new interface, making it easier to organize your existing music, photos, and videos. Plus, WMP 11 seamlessly integrates with URGE, the slick new music service created by Microsoft and MTV.
 
Microsoft has revamped the player for ease of use while adding new functionality. When in Library view, WMP 11 benefits from a total design overhaul that resembles the layout of Windows Explorer. Universal back and forward buttons make navigation a simple affair, so you’ll never get lost when scouring your library. Each media type (music, pictures, videos, and recorded TV) has its own dedicated category view, which streamlines the layout.
 
The collapsing architecture found in previous incarnations of WMP has been removed for a much more intuitive three-pane setup that operates similarly to frame-based Web pages. Selections in the left pane drive the center pane view, eliminating the long scrolling lists. Clicking the Now Playing tab switches to the traditional WMP view. Here you can alter a song’s playback speed and even tinker with audio settings, such as utilizing SRS WOW effects for fuller sound.
 
WMP 11 makes extensive use of album art that goes far beyond sprucing up visuals. In Artist View, you’ll encounter two types of album art icons: one with a lone album, the other with stacks of albums beneath it. If there’s just a lone piece of album art, there’s a good chance that the performer has only one album; if you see stacked albums, you can click on the icon to view the artist’s entire back catalog organized by the record from which the track was taken.
 
Transferring music is simple and (unlike WMP 10) nonproblematic: We effortlessly downloaded content to several music players and engaged Auto Sync, which automatically updates a player’s music library. All Windows Media Player 10 compatible players will work with WMP 11, and Microsoft promises that the new PlaysForSure 2.0 software will eliminate the music transfer problems associated with the original PlaysForSure ecosystem.
 
While WMP 11 shares many of the same features with iTunes, it lets users edit both MP3 and WMA tags and has a built-in Media Guide for free content streams and downloads of the latest pop culture happenings. One of the most useful abilities of WMP 11 is the disc-spanning feature, which allows the player to queue up successive discs when maximum burn capacity is reached on a recordable CD or DVD. After the burn on that disc is completed, WMP 11 will ask for the insertion of another disc to finish the job.
 
With the URGE music service, you can download and purchase individual songs and albums, but hardcore music fans may want to invest in one of the two subscription models that offer unlimited music downloads: URGE All Access ($9.95 per month or $99 per year) and URGE All Access to Go ($14.95 per month or $149 per year), which enables tunes to be transferred to compatible music players like the iRiver Clix. Music downloaded to these players will remain accessible as long as the subscription is current and the user accesses the service at least once a month.
 
URGE also offers a variety of themed playlists, blogs, and over 130 music channels (20 of which are free to non-subscribers). Coming to URGE later this year are downloadable music videos and exclusive MTV Network’s programming such as “Yo MTV Raps!” and “VH1 Storytellers.” People looking for the latest primetime hits should you stick with iTunes or wait for Microsoft’s own rumored service to launch.
 
WMP 11 is an excellent revamp of a familiar application, and it’s even better with URGE, a welcome addition to the online music service category.