Microsoft, Philips marry Windows with Nexperia

Philips Electronics will make semiconductors for consumer electronics devices capable of playing Windows Media audio and video files as part of a nonexclusive deal with Microsoft, the companies said Wednesday.

The Eindhoven, Netherlands, company’s Nexperia range of chips is used in devices such as mobile phone handsets, DVD players and digital television sets. Philips will also add support for Microsoft’s Windows Media Digital Rights Management 10 system in its chips for portable music and video players, the companies said in a joint statement.