Nothing new but the name
Now that Microsoft has bowed to pressure from the European Commission, and named the new version of its Windows XP operating system 'Windows XP Home Edition N' (the N stands for "not with media player"), you'd be forgiven for thinking that there are some major changes ahead for consumers in Poland. After all, allowing customers to buy a trimmer version of the operating system is intended to clear the path for more media-application competition.
However, according to Bartłomiej Danek, a spokesperson for Microsoft Poland, there will be little change for consumers. Although Microsoft had originally wanted to call the new version 'Windows XP Reduced Media Edition' (which the Commission rejected), don't expect it to come at a reduced cost.
"Both versions [with and without the media player] will be exactly the same price," says Danek, who contends that the OS is the most important part of the package.
When asked if this might serve as a disincentive for customers to buy the N edition, Danek replied: "It's up to the customer to decide," adding that he doesn't expect Windows Media Player's popularity to be affected.
"People who buy the version without the media player will just go to the Windows website and download it," he says. "I believe everybody will get the Media Player."
Certainly, that leaves some question as to whether the EU ruling has really opened the door to more competition. When the product finally hits shelves in a few weeks, you may not even notice it. Danek says the company will be doing "absolutely nothing special" when it comes to introducing the new product. It will be moved onto store shelves quietly, right next to the media-enhanced version.
Brussels found that Microsoft's bundling of its media player with Windows XP discouraged customers from downloading rival products, such as RealNetworks' RealPlayer and Apple's Quicktime.
However, according to Bartłomiej Danek, a spokesperson for Microsoft Poland, there will be little change for consumers. Although Microsoft had originally wanted to call the new version 'Windows XP Reduced Media Edition' (which the Commission rejected), don't expect it to come at a reduced cost.
"Both versions [with and without the media player] will be exactly the same price," says Danek, who contends that the OS is the most important part of the package.
When asked if this might serve as a disincentive for customers to buy the N edition, Danek replied: "It's up to the customer to decide," adding that he doesn't expect Windows Media Player's popularity to be affected.
"People who buy the version without the media player will just go to the Windows website and download it," he says. "I believe everybody will get the Media Player."
Certainly, that leaves some question as to whether the EU ruling has really opened the door to more competition. When the product finally hits shelves in a few weeks, you may not even notice it. Danek says the company will be doing "absolutely nothing special" when it comes to introducing the new product. It will be moved onto store shelves quietly, right next to the media-enhanced version.
Brussels found that Microsoft's bundling of its media player with Windows XP discouraged customers from downloading rival products, such as RealNetworks' RealPlayer and Apple's Quicktime.
