![]() If fewer people are using competing media players, more Web sites could start offering content only viewable with Microsoft's product, Stanton said. Another difference: Both RealNetworks and Apple offer free media players, but if consumers want a full-featured version, they must pay for it. "They don't have the capacity or the time to download great big add-ins and plug-ins like that."īy that reasoning, consumers also might be less willing to download competing products from RealNetworks and Apple. "The biggest advantage to doing that is that most consumers have dial-up modems," he said. On the one hand, this is a consumer benefit, said NPD Intelect analyst Stephen Baker. ![]() But as the company looks to deliver more content through the Web, controlling video-streaming standards would be a valuable asset, LeTocq said.īy integrating Windows Media Player 8 with Windows XP, Microsoft could make it more difficult for competitors to distribute their players. ![]() Whether the company can succeed at this is uncertain. Net software-as-a-service initiative, Microsoft increasingly is focusing on subscription revenue rather than software sales to sustain growth. What you have there is a cross-platform environment feeding Xbox and Windows XP supported by DirectX and Windows Media Player."Īt the same time, through its much-touted. "The question is will Xbox drive the standards here? You've got DirectX on the Xbox and the PC. "This is clearly a content leverage play," said LeTocq. As a result, some analysts believe integrating Windows Media Player with Windows could help the company woo more developers for its forthcoming Xbox gaming console.
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