The world's largest software maker, which developed software for the new handheld multimedia devices, also said that Major League Baseball games and footage would be available for download to the devices, which are scheduled to be shipped later this summer.
Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft has been working since early 2003 to get device manufacturers to put the Portable Media Centers on the market in order to compete against Apple Computer Inc.'s (AAPL.O: Quote, Profile, Research) popular iPod portable digital music player.
Two Portable Media Center models will be available for pre-order from the Web's biggest retailer at www.amazon.com/portablemediacenters.