At least one Taiwanese software developer is set to profit from the recent controversy surrounding Microsoft's new Windows XP computer operating system.
CyberLink Corp (
News reports last week said US consumer and industry groups complained to Microsoft about its plans to bundle the company's own Windows media-audio file -- a music program -- and Windows media player directly on XP, cutting out the competition.
Questions focused on the fact that Microsoft's media player cannot run DVD movies, nor does its audio file program allow the use of MP3 music files -- the most popular form of digital music on the Internet.
"Microsoft's solution was to invite companies like CyberLink to provide this feature as a plug-in which will support the media player that comes with XP," Ty Ung, marketing specialist at CyberLink, said.
The Windows media-audio program that comes "free" with Windows XP promotes the firm's own proprietary form of digital music in order to make it more popular.
"But their quality is not as good as MP3 quality, that's [the public] criticism towards Microsoft," Ung said.
Windows media-audio program also cannot copy songs from music CDs, a popular way to build an MP3 collection. While some music- sharing Web sites have been shut down, Napster is still unsure of when it will restart song-swapping operations.
CyberLink's software does allow copying and it uses the MP3 format.
Despite helping consumers with software dedicated to higher quality music and movies, analysts poured cold water on the CyberLink deal, pointing out that its software is not bundled on Windows XP, but available only by a link to www.gocyberlink.com and paying a fee for the software.
"That's how Microsoft wins," said one industry watcher who requested anonymity.
"They put on their own sub-standard software right on the Windows XP operating system for free and then make people jump [countless] hurdles to get the alternative. They know most people won't click on the link [to CyberLink's Web site] because it's a waste of time. And if they do, who wants to pay for software you already have for free?" the industry watcher said.
He added that Windows media-audio player provides quality similar to that of an 8-track tape, versus an MP3 music file, which is close to CD quality.
Another analyst doubted the deal would bring much business to CyberLink.
"Their competitors, for exam-ple, Intervideo and Ravisent, also passed Microsoft's quality test and will be linked to Windows XP just like CyberLink," said Henry Su, multimedia and software analyst at Jih Sun Securities Corp (
He explained that if major computer sellers like Compaq or Dell decided to bundle CyberLink's DVD software with their compu-ters, that would be more of a clear cut victory for CyberLink.
As it is, a Web site link on Windows XP does not guarantee new business.
Still, CyberLink was one of only three companies worldwide chosen to show up on XP, a win that will put the company's name together with 90 percent or more of all new computers sold.
Microsoft's Windows operating system software runs on most personal computers. This year alone, International Data Corp estimates 138.9 million new computers will be sold worldwide.
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