Windows Media Player 12
Here are some feature requests and ideas for Windows Media Player 12. This
is the best Microsoft forum I could find to post this informatin so hopefully
it gets read by the appropriate people. We all know that right now Apple and
iTunes is dominating in the digital music world and are trying to also take
on digital video as well. Windows Media Player has been lacking features for
years and ease of use that iTunes has provided both Mac and PC users.
Microsoft can easily steal iTunes crown by implementing features that iTunes
has and then some. First thing Microsoft needs to do is make WMP as easy to
use as iTunes in all areas but yet keep WMP unique. I feel that if Microsoft
continues with its open PlaysForSure campaign that would be the way to gain
marketshare back from Apple. Microsoft can say that their WMP and Windows
offers more choice than Apple does. Microsoft can say that WMP supports more
formats, has more features, and is just as easy. This will draw users in and
away from Apple which anyway you look at it is good news for Microsoft. Give
users a media player that they can't live without and make people forget
about Vista. WMP 11 was a huge step forward for WMP. It is on its way to
being on par with iTunes. WMP 12 (or even an update to WMP 11) has the
ability to surpass iTunes in every way. I also think another good strategy
would be to cater to the more advanced digital music user as well by
implementing some features commonly talked about at Hydrogenaudio.org.
iTunes caters to the average Joe while nothing really caters to both the
average Joe and the experience digital music user. WMP can bridge this gap
and be the media player for everyone. WMP 12 could also be the 'killer app'
for Windows Vista. I would encourage Microsoft to still produce a version of
the program to XP users but the Vista version could have some more advanced
features.
1. A wallpaper for WMP in the background that can be customized just like
there is a wallpaper on my iRiver Clix basically.
2. Built-in basic video capture abilities
3. For syncing music, instead of heavily relying on the library to find
your music, also have an option where you can explorer the computer's hard
disks to find the music you're looking for even if they're not in the
library. Similarly, do this with videos and pictures.
4. For the radio feature, show the different "stations" in the playlist
instead of as a web page.
5. An optional feature that can be disabled or enabled that will
automatically sync files to the device when you add them to the sync list
without needing to click the 'start sync' button.
6. On Windows Vista, automatically make window borders very dark when
watching videos, but also, have an option to enable or disable this feature.
7. For Windows Vista, remove mfpmp.exe or drastically improve its CPU
efficiency.
8. For Windows Vista, quit relying heavily on dwm.exe when playing music or
a video.
9. Not sure if it's possible, but have the ability to select your speaker
configuration within WMP itself, and allow you to adjust the left front,
right front, etc.
10. In addition to having the WMP toolbar when minimized, have an option of
instead of a toolbar, it will have a simple play/pause button.
11. Do not enable this by default as this can be CPU intensive, but allow a
feature for visualizations to be partially transparent.
