Microsoft Corp. today announced that Amazon.com, one of the world's leading online retailers, has selected Windows Media® Services 9 Series, a feature of the recently released Windows Server (TM) 2003, to make available its entire library of song samples. Fast Streaming technology in the new server delivers a virtual instant-on playback experience for users of Windows Media Player 9 Series when they are sampling music clips offered through Amazon.com's music store. Loudeye Corp. was instrumental in deploying this technology, which allows consumers to enjoy this enhanced service at Amazon.com as well as Borders.com, CDNOW.com and VirginMega.com, all of which are powered by Amazon.com.

"Amazon.com is always striving to provide customers with the best possible online shopping experience by using the most powerful and innovative technologies," said Curtis Kopf, director of digital for Amazon. "The ability to provide instant-on, fast-streaming audio samples with Windows Media 9 Series virtually eliminates waiting times and enables our customers to have instantly gratifying listening experiences."