AOL Announces Winamp 10th Anniversary Edition

AOL today announced the general release of the 10th Anniversary Edition of the Winamp Media Player, version 5.5 (Winamp.com), a collection of new product features and enhancements that provide users with powerful, high performance tools to manage their personal media across multiple device platforms combined with integrated media discovery capabilities. The 10th Anniversary Edition of Winamp also delivers a re-designed user interface that integrates these new powerful capabilities with the level of customization and control that Winamp users have come to expect. In recognition of Winamp’s growing international audience, for the first time, the player is fully localizable and will be made available in multiple languages. To mark the anniversary, the general release will be available on October 10th at 10 am ET (10-10-10) with Sony Pictures Entertainment as the exclusive launch sponsor. With more than 60 million monthly active unique users, Winamp is one of the largest and most active global communities of digital media enthusiasts on the web.

Some of the many new and improved features of Winamp’s 10th Anniversary Edition include a fully redesigned user interface with album art; dynamic “More Like This” playlist service; expanded “Remote Access” to your media, including video and access via next generation gaming consoles; the “Media Monitor,” which automatically detects and playlists playable web content; and integrated search features that allow users to explore articles, videos, find up-to-date concert information and more about your favorite artists.

“Timing the release with the ten year anniversary is a testimony to Winamp’s passionate user base that is responsible for the player’s strong and sustained growth over the last decade,” said Fred McIntyre, senior vice president of AOL Video, Radio and Winamp. “AOL is fortunate to have an asset as unique as Winamp in our portfolio and we are very excited about where Winamp is headed.”

In addition to native support for multiple languages and customized international advertising opportunities, the Winamp 10th Anniversary Edition features a custom browser toolbar with integrated player controls enabling consumers to manage Winamp playback directly from their browser. In addition, standard and customized advertising packages are available directly through the Winamp media player and winamp.com in multiple markets.

Winamp Media Player:

Version 5.5 includes several additions and enhancements to the client that will improve the overall experience.

A single “Bento” skin interface allows for easier access and control of the application’s features.

A fully integrated browser enables users to build and manipulate playlists from sources all over the Internet, not just their own media files. It also allows for “smart” searches for music, videos, and other artist and song information. Additional features include a newly placed window to showcase album art, an enhanced device sync experience, as well as improved static and dynamic “More Like This” automatic playlisting services, powered by Gracenote, which allow users to instantly generate a mix of music from the listener’s library similar to the seed song selected. New acoustic file fingerprinting features help instantly identify media files. MP3 Surround support will enable consumers to enjoy music in full 5.1 surround sound. For the first time, users will be able to seamlessly connect their browse and search behaviors on the web, to their media player experience.

Winamp Remote:

Earlier this year, Winamp unveiled a feature that allows users 24 hour remote access to their home music libraries, including compatible mobile devices. The Winamp 10th Anniversary Edition provides enhanced mobile features, added support for remote videos and new access via next generation game consoles, including the Nintendo Wii. The new Winamp Remote also features an innovative friends feature which enables you and your friends to share streams of their media with each other.

Winamp Tool Bar:

The new Winamp tool bar enables users to manipulate Winamp playback controls directly through a browser and offers direct access to Winamp.com content. The new tool bar features include instant access to AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), as well as new search capabilities, allowing users to search the web or Winamp for specific content.

International Support:

To expand upon its worldwide presence, Winamp’s 10th Anniversary Edition is fully localizable, and made available in multiple languages. Beginning today users from around the world will be able to customize the full client for their own additional language requirements.

“Over 90% of Winamp’s users are outside of the United States, and with the 10th Anniversary Edition of Winamp we have taken a global approach to the product that provides a better product experience for Winamp users no matter where they are in the world,” added McIntyre.

Advertising:

Now, with access to AOL’s comprehensive set of online marketing solutions, Winamp offers advertisers unparalleled global opportunities to target one of the Internet’s largest, most engaged communities of media enthusiasts. Standard and customized advertising packages directly through the Winamp media player and winamp.com are available in multiple markets, including United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, The Netherlands, Spain, Italy, and Poland.