Microsoft Windows Media Player 10 review

Windows Media Player may have started life as a simple application to play music, but it's steadily become an integral part of Windows - in exactly the same way as Internet Explorer. But with the launch of Apple's iTunes and, in particular, the integration of iTunes Music Store, Microsoft was in danger of falling behind. Fear not though, for Redmond is back with Windows Media Player 10 (WMP10), its most ambitious effort yet to make this the indispensable media application.

Quite apart from the new chrome look, there have been several fundamental changes to WMP10's interface, the most obvious being to move the Task buttons from the side panel to the top. This is apparently in response to user feedback, and it does actually feel more comfortable to scan the options from left to right. These have been changed too, from the over-complicated 'Copy from CD' and 'Copy to CD or device' to the more immediate 'Rip' and 'Burn'.

The Now Playing pane has been cleaned up in small but useful ways, such as the simple method of toggling through Repeat and Shuffle options, and more clearly laid-out media information. You can now choose whether the far-right pane is a Now Playing, Sync or Burn list, which makes editing or assembling a playlist easier.

Arguably the most useful area, the Library, has also undergone some changes. Music is now listed by both ID3 album artist and contributing artist. This makes a significant difference to cutting out irrelevant searching through large collections. Another small but useful change comes with the iTunes-style striping across the centre pane, making reading across far easier.

Another new feature in WMP10 is explicit support for recorded TV (either from Windows Media Center Edition or another PVR device), as well as other types of video and digital photos.

The implementation of photo support is rudimentary. The idea is for Windows Media Player to handle your photos in the same way as it handles your music and video, so you can browse metadata (the hidden data that describes a file, such as the camera name), include pictures in manual or auto playlists, and preview photos in the Now Playing window. However, there's no way of showing photos while playing music or editing information. The main reason for the inclusion of photos is for using WMP10 as the sync software for Microsoft's new baby, the Portable Media Center - so you can keep your latest photos on the device.

Synching has been tightened up with other devices too, with players setting up a sync relationship with WMP10. When first connected, you can choose either a manual, semi-automatic or automatic content update. The first is designed for small capacity devices and allows complete control over transfer; the second according to a playlist; and the third will attempt to copy across everything with no further intervention. Once a device is paired, it shows up in the Library even when disconnected, and the contents can be altered so that they're updated when next plugged in.

The other area in which WMP9 was looking rather overshadowed by iTunes was the latter's seamless integration with Apple's Music Store. Microsoft may have been pipped to the post here but it has come back fighting, signing an impressive number of partners to provide content through the WMP10 interface. These not only include Microsoft's own MSN Music channel and Napster, but online video distributors such as CinemaNow, where movies can be downloaded on either a buy or rental basis. Microsoft is going so far as to call it a Digital Mall. It's a tantalising concept, although we'll have to wait until at least October to see the full line-up.