Yesterday, Microsoft held the Second Annual Windows Media Innovation Awards, at their Redmond, Washington head offices. Amongst the awards given out, were Honorable Mention awards to Peter Gabriel and Pink Floyd, for their "creation of the Web's first 5.1 surround sound digital music releases using Windows Media Audio 9 Professional (WMA Pro), allowing fans to immerse themselves in full surround sound for home-theater-like experiences on their Windows Powered PCs".

Peter Gabriel made his latest album, "Up," available to consumers for digital download in both 5.1 surround sound using WMA Pro and in stereo. Before fans purchased the album, they had the opportunity to preview it in its entirety by downloading it from the Web. Pink Floyd released a promotional download of "Money" from the re-released SACD version of the album "Dark Side of the Moon" using WMA Pro.