"The next version of Microsoft Corp's Windows Media Player looks set to be the company's answer to Apple Inc's iTunes and RealNetworks Inc's music services, featuring a built-in music and movie store for the first time," Computer Business Review Online reports. "Microsoft released a "technical beta" of WMP 10 this week, and said it features a streamlined interface and a Digital Media Mall comprised of storefronts provided by partners Napster LLC, MusicNow LLC and CinemaNow Inc. The company is also saying that WMP simplifies the process of transferring tracks from PCs to portable devices and synchronizing playlists. WMP 10 will automatically detect compatible devices and synchronize via a new Multimedia Transfer Protocol."
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