Adobe launches Media Player

Adobe has launched Adobe Media Player 1.0, an application to play audio and video files.

The software takes advantage of the Adobe AIR platform, as explored in Web User Issue 184, to let you watch streamed, downloaded or locally-stored video content and supports high-definition footage.

Adobe Media Player will also play audio files and is available on the Windows and Mac platforms as a free download.

Adobe AIR is a technology that lets you use web applications, such as Adobe Media Player, on your Desktop rather than through a browser and also allows the apps to run when you're offline.

There is free content on offer through the player as well, including CSI:New York and CSI:Miami.

Analyst Michael Gartenburg of Jupiter Research said the launch may well force the hand of other players in this space.

"It does beg the question again of when (or perhaps if?) we're going to see an update to Windows Media Player and what Microsoft's strategy is long term," he said.

www.adobe.com/go/mp
www.adobe.com/products/mediaplayer