Our sister site PCWorld.com has a first look at Windows Media Player 11 and its newly integrated music service, MTV's Urge. According to the reviewer, the application's "streamlined look and improved performance" are impressive, and you can manage downloads and subscription tracks from the same interface you use for dealing with your own music. One of the biggest changes is Instant Search, which dynamically searches for an artist, song, or album as you type. As for the Urge music store, MTV is offering custom playlists associated with some of its channels and shows, as well as ones from well-known music bloggers.
You can own tracks from Urge for the standard nine-nine-cent, or pay $14.95 a month for the rest of your life to download tracks endlessly (to supported players, of course--iPod not included--and you won't be able to keep the tunes if you drop the subscription). The beta version of WMP 11 will be available for download on Wednesday.
