Neowin.net

This just in from Tech-Critic:

Haven't we all been hearing for a while now about Windows Media Center Edition. Some of us do not know what it is and yet some of us do know what it is. For the people who do not know what Windows Media Center or MCE for short is a little shell that sits basically on top of windows that has a few shortcuts and stuff ike for T.V. and etc. that Bill Gates started funding for his personal use back in 1990's to actually integrate his PC with Entertainment System. He liked it so much he acually then made it public.

Now The beta testing for it started last year and it was a pretty huge success when Microsoft selected the Beta Testers to test it out. Now the Beta 2 has started now in some parts of the World and we have gotten exclusive Screenshots thanks to Janis, a member of ours. So Enjoy!

View: Media Center Edition Beta Screenshots @ Tech-Critic

Of course, Apple's Music Store uses one-click purchasing licensed from Amazon, so there's something of a technology fit already. Then again, that may be the only connection between the two companies and the only basis for the alleged negotiations.

That Apple is going to offer the service to Windows users, complete with iTunes software, suggests that the service is viewed by the company as a revenue generator and not a tool to attract buyers to the Mac platform. Since Apple is already sending 65 cents per 99 cent download to the music industry, it might not be all that keen on sharing any of the remaining 35 cents with Amazon.

Then again, a co-branded deal with Amazon would expose Apple to more customers - PC or otherwise - than it might reach on its own, and would give it a useful bargaining tool to achieve other outcomes, such as replacing Amazon's current Windows Media and RealPlayer downloads with QuickTime/iTunes versions