Caveat Emptor: As many community members will be aware, Microsoft has released the latest version of its Windows Media Player multimedia suite within the last few hours.

With the removal of Handheld PC Professional users from the Windows Media equation with the previous version, it will come as no surprise to HPC2000 devotees that now, with the version 11 player release the guillotine's blade has fallen on support for that platform.

HPC2000 users will be presented with an error message when you attempt to connect your device to the player, an error stating device driver incompatibility for what is in effect a device driver-less connection. Most infuriating for the community will be the realisation that with this release Microsoft has also abandoned support for Windows CE .net devices which present with the same error upon connection.

HPC:Factor will keep the community apprised as to any changes in the connectivity state. In the mean time, we recommend you consider the pro's and con's of upgrading your Windows XP installation if you are a music fan. In the mean time, Microsoft's formal advice for users facing this predicament: roll back to Windows Media Player 10.

View: Windows Media Player 11