Winamp has announced the release of an update to the Windows desktop version of its media player.
Version 5.9.1 reduces Winamp’s memory footprint and upgrades security among many other improvements. It also includes a new way to listen to the latest music format. Listening has just gotten a major web3 upgrade, thanks to these improvements. With more and more groundbreaking artists offering their work in NFT format, Winamp will make playing these audio NFTs simple and seamless.
“The genesis of Winamp has always been about accessibility and innovation, and today we are proud to launch the very first standalone player reading audio NFTs, as well as any other existing formats ,” explains Winamp CEO Alexandre Saboundjian. “This new version of Winamp allows people to listen to any file they want, using a player they already love.”
Winamp’s latest version lets music fans link their Metamask wallet via Brave, Chrome, or Firefox to Winamp. It then connects their favorite music NFTs to their tried-and-true player. Winamp supports audio and video files distributed under both the ERC-721and ERC-1155 standards, and is launching this new feature for Ethereum and Polygon/Matic protocols. Winamp’s 83 million worldwide users will be able to organize their library and playlists to incorporate these audio files, just as they would with any other music.
NFT support will soon be coupled with several other important updates that will make Winamp’s player a universal and most advanced listening library. The player will bring together music fans’ scattered experiences into a single, great-sounding place. These enhanced player features will be matched by a feature-rich creator service, linking artists and fans directly to the benefit of all. The service launch is planned for early 2023 and will be cross platform.
“Winamp was a key part of the first digital music innovation, when mp3s changed the way we listen and enjoy music,” explains Saboundjian. “Now we’re supporting the leading edge of the next one, as more and more artists explore web3 and its potential.”
More information: Winamp
