Paul Jacobson

It wasn't too long ago that I mentioned that Microsoft stopped development on Internet Explorer for the Mac.  Now they have announced they will no longer develop Windows Media Player for the Mac either:

Microsoft says it is no longer developing a Mac version of its Windows Media Player for Mac, following the announcement of a separate five-year agreement with Apple to develop Office for the Mac and Messenger: "We have no plans to provide future updates or product support for Windows Media Player for Mac," Adam Anderson, Microsoft public relations manager, told CNET News.com. Microsoft said that it had a made a "business decision" to halt development and product support because it was re-examining its business priorities: "Our focus really is in delivering the best experience to Windows customers." Ironically, the announced followed its public "commitment" agreement to the Mac, but follows an agreement to distribute Telestream's Windows Media Components for QuickTime.

This irks me and at the same time says a few things about how Microsoft perceives Apple.  Is Apple becoming more of a threat to Microsoft with the announcement of some hot new Intel based Macs?

I saw the Internet Explorer icon in my Applications folder and I started to wonder why I even have it taking up space on my PowerBook.  Anyway, you can download a product by Flip4Mac that will enable you to play unprotected Windows Media content in Quicktime.  If that works properly, who needs Windows Media Player for Mac anyway?

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