Microsoft Halting Windows Media Player for Mac

[Tux Kapono]

Here's the reason why MS is halting WMP for Mac, I believe...

Many, not all, Windows users simply had a difficult time installing and using QT. It simply wasn't reliable. For Apple, creating a sophisticated, robust media player that worked perfectly for two increasingly complex OSes and chip architectures was a bit overwhelming.

However, the switch to Intel changes the playing field entirely. Apple knows that future versions of QT on Windows will be installing and playing much easier thanks to the common architecture, and even more Windows users will switch to QT. MS has to abandon the Mac platform just to be able to compete with the new QT threat, probably using the same tactics as they did with integrating Explorer into the OS.

I like to use The Daily Show and CNN as the litmus test. Apparently neither works with Flip4Mac, still requiring WMP (don't go trashing it just yet...), and things are going to get worse as WMP becomes more integrated with the WIN OS. The question is, will WMP for Mac's exit and QT's improved performance on Windows be enough to convince the decision-makers at studios like Comedy Central and CNN to either place two versions or switch over to QT exclusively. If not and until QT has a larger presence, Mac users are pretty much shut out.

 

[Randall]

Here's the reason why MS is halting WMP for Mac, I believe...

Many, not all, Windows users simply had a difficult time installing and using QT. It simply wasn't reliable. For Apple, creating a sophisticated, robust media player that worked perfectly for two increasingly complex OSes and chip architectures was a bit overwhelming.

However, the switch to Intel changes the playing field entirely. Apple knows that future versions of QT on Windows will be installing and playing much easier thanks to the common architecture, and even more Windows users will switch to QT. MS has to abandon the Mac platform just to be able to compete with the new QT threat, probably using the same tactics as they did with integrating Explorer into the OS.

Not really. QT utilizes a large part of the Mac OS as it's base. It does use some Architecure-specific code, sure. But it doesn't run on the Windows API natively, and therein lies the problem (or rather why QuickTime sucks on Windows). Any time you have to pull parts of an operating system onto a diffrerent one just to make said application run, you're going to run into problems (i.e. slow playback, intensive CPU usage, etc.). If you use Mplayer and the Firefox plugin, you can literally play ANY video webcast thrown in your way. Same for VLC. I don't understand why Flip4Mac is more picky with certain sites, but for now I will stick with QuickTime and Mplayer.

 

[~Shard~]

Hear, hear. Good riddance as far as I'm concerned. Media Player works well enough on Windows but I never use their Mac version. MPlayer and VLC are fine.

Agreed. I have no issues using MP on my PC, and it works quite slick in fact, but on my Mac, well, that's a different story - I just don't want it on there whatsoever, I don't care how well it works.

 

[Randall]

Agreed. I have no issues using MP on my PC, and it works quite slick in fact, but on my Mac, well, that's a different story - I just don't want it on there whatsoever, I don't care how well it works.

I think the main problem with MPlayer is that people don't know about it. Somebody needs to help get the word out. This media player is the best of the best as far as I'm concerned. I have never had a problem playing ANY video I threw at it.


I understand that you guys don't like the Mac Version of MPlayer? I assume you mean MPlayerOSX? Well if that's the case, then you can download the MPlayer source, and install it from scratch for your machine. The end result is a media player that's even more optimized then the Windows version. Here is a guide on how to compile it for Mac. http://www.jonsimpson.co.uk/weblog/2005-11-14/compiling-mplayer-on-mac-os-x-tiger.html

 

[sfwalter]

This move is very disappointing to me. I am now locked out of content.

Not every media outlet will be selling content via iTunes Music Store. So I will not be able to view content that is distributed by otheroutlets thats use Microsoft's technology. Also I can't use any oterh music service out there (not that I do right now). I would just like the flexibility of choice.

Inmy opinion this decision was made because of a riff betwen Apple and Microsoft in the digital media arms race.

 

[PlayUltimate]

The battle is heating up.

Why can't everyone use open formats? Grrr....

Because it's a business and Microsoft wants to make money. The abandonment of Media Player for Mac is just the beginning of Microsoft using its dominant position to control the buying decisions of the masses.

Microsoft sees that Apple has gained mind share and marketshare. How do they stop the bleeding; stop allowing Macs to play WMP files. This is just another way for Microsoft to point at Macs as being incompatable. With WMP and Office, Apple could legitiamately argue that Macs were nominally compatable with PCs. Now, the consumer will be forced to make a decision.

This bodes poorly for Apple. Apple is going to have to move quickly and find allies to prevent the money and clout of Microsoft from forcing Media Player and its DRM from becoming the standard.

 

[Thanatoast]

Methinks it's time for an email campaign to certain webmasters *cough* comedy central *cough* about using open standards.

 

[512ke]

This sucks for me. I can't see Spanish TV without Media Player:

s_tve_w.asx

Very few people use Macs in Spain, so all a lot of the available content is .wma.

Here's what I don't get. If Microsoft makes MONEY selling OFFICE to Mac users, why not just SELL Windows Media player 10 (or whatever) to Mac users as well?

Why discontinue it? They could make a lotta money. $29.95.

 

[Randall]

UPDATE: THIS IS WHY!!

 

[Le Big Mac]

I've never liked WMP, either, but there's too much video content to ignore the format. Apple ought to just buy the rights to distribute the free player/browser components with QuickTime. Flip4Mac could still sell the import and studio versions.

I agree that the problem is too much content is WMP. That's a bad thing, but websites keep doing it. Just like they code pages to run in Explorer, not under universal standards. The fact of life, sucky as it is, that standards are set in large part by microsoft. pulling software that works under that standard is not a positive development.

 

[iDM]

Does anyone know how to uninstall Windows Media Player? I wanna get rid of all traces of it.

 

[B. Hunter]

An Alternative?

I listen to radio stations on my 12" Powerbook. Problem is I can only hear them in the Windoze Media Player. As for Flip4Mac, I have never heard of this. If this allows me to listen to the same radio content, I will gladly dump WMP!

 

[Jookbox]

wow. never seen flip4mac. installing it now. what about browser plugins?

 

[yellow]

Well, since this comes as no surprise, it's about damned time they actually announced it.

HOWEVER.. this SUX.

That means no WMP that copes with Microsoft's DRM. That means, any MS DRM encrypted video isn't playable on your Mac. Forever.

 

[dirtskier]

agreed... this really sucks for web radio fans. Windows media streams are pretty much the standard everywhere. no idea if flip will work, but if it cant, I seriously would consider purchasing a mac in the future.

 

[LaMerVipere]

This is the best news to come out of Microsoft in a while. I could never seem to get WMP to work well with Tiger anyway. And to think just a few days ago I was tempted to pay the $10 for Flip4Mac.

 

[heisetax]

Office support for at least 5 more years

Very happy about this, I was thinking about buying Flip4Mac, but now there is no need.

I havent had to deal with many Windows Media files, but it is still handy to have for the odd occasion when you do.

With IE for Mac really going away before MS talked of ending support. The same has been true wi WMP. The last upgrade qas 17 months ago. This is only making official whathas alrady happened.

This makes you wonder just how much support we will have with MS Office in the future. MS Office for the Mac has not been feature comparable with the Windows version since shortly after MS ported it to Windows from the Mac. In many areas there is really no support. MS uses the excuse that Mac users don't do the same things with their computers as Windows users do & thus doen't need those features. The truth is that except in the virus & spyware areas the Mac user does more & thus rally need more features than the Windows user, not less.

Bill the TaxMan

 

[pubwvj]

Good!

Wonderful news! Microsoft's Windows Media Player is aweful. They also dropped the Mac version of Internet Explorer. I hope that Microsoft drops the Mac version of Office/Excel/Word/etc. Then perhaps Apple will bring out a real replacement rather than the lame applications they're offering.

 

[Airforce]

I hope that Microsoft drops the Mac version of Office/Excel/Word/etc.

That would be baaaaad.

 

[LaMerVipere]

Does anyone know how to uninstall Windows Media Player? I wanna get rid of all traces of it.

If you try to just trash the App, OS X won't let you because Microsoft put a bunch of locked files in the package contents. You're going to have to drag the App out of the trash, right-click it and SHOW PACKAGE CONTENTS and click around a bit until you come to folders for different languages. All of those folders contain locked files you're going to have to unlock.

At least this was the case the 3 or so times I installed WMP and then tried to delete it 5 minutes later!

Best of luck.

 

[Ramsos]

How about making lots of QuickTime content for websites instead.

I do make quicktime content for the websites. But many clients request WMV files, that's why I bought Flip4mac Pro. I have to keep my clients happy. But I will Never, ever, ever buy a windows machine for video encoding purposes. Been there done that, I've been a happy stress free mac user for 5 years now and I can't even look at the darkside. I'm sure someone will figure out a solution for video editors. If not I will find someone with a PC to convert files for me.

 

[nagromme]

Don't forget that Apple has new power over Microsoft these days.

It wouldn't surprise me to see some inconsistent moves from MS has a result: some little moves to hurt Apple (although this WMP thing sounds more along the lines of "not bothering to do it") and yet also refraining from some BIG moves to hurt Apple. For instance, they could kill Office for Mac--and they're not doing that.

MS knows that while Apple may not WANT to release OS X for all PCs... they COULD. Or, the middle option, they could license it to just one or two partners (who, if they followed Apple hardware requirements, could sell OS X without making the OS more bloated or hard to support).

That's a long-term threat Apple has hanging over MS now. They'd be REALLY stupid not to be worried. The don't want Apple to be forced into such a move.

 

[portent]

I like to use The Daily Show and CNN as the litmus test. Apparently neither works with Flip4Mac...

No joy with The Daily Show, but CNN plays fine. (Though the first time, you'll get an error message, because CNN can't detect the version of the WM plugin. Just click Continue.)

 

[Airforce]

MS knows that while Apple may not WANT to release OS X for all PCs... they COULD. Or, the middle option, they could license it to just one or two partners (who, if they followed Apple hardware requirements, could sell OS X without making the OS more bloated or hard to support).

That's a long-term threat Apple has hanging over MS now. They'd be REALLY stupid not to be worried. The don't want Apple to be forced into such a move.

I'm sorry, but I don't see Microsoft ever fearing this from Apple.....That would be a whole David vs Goliath thing....without the stone.

 

[shamino]

If you try to just trash the App, OS X won't let you because Microsoft put a bunch of locked files in the package contents. You're going to have to drag the App out of the trash, right-click it and SHOW PACKAGE CONTENTS and click around a bit until you come to folders for different languages. All of those folders contain locked files you're going to have to unlock.

At least this was the case the 3 or so times I installed WMP and then tried to delete it 5 minutes later!

Funny, it trashed just fine for me.

In addition to the folder in /Applications (containing the program, the EULA and sample movie), there's an internet plugin "Windows Media Plugin", and two preference files ("Windows Media Player Prefs" and "Windows Media Favorites"). A Spotlight search on "Windows Media" finds them very quickly.