Microsoft announces Silverlight, a Flash competitor
This looks like a pretty obvious target: Microsoft wants to dominate the rich media ad market with his own technology, and not with widely used Flash from Macromedia. As described by Forest Key, a director of product management for Microsoft’s Server and Tools Division, Silverlight is a browser plug-in that allows Web content providers to offer rich video and interactive media experience from directly within Web sites. The technology, which leverages Vista’s new graphics framework Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), will debut at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) conference, being held this week in Las Vegas. Microsoft also will unveil Web content providers who have signed up to use the technology once it is available, including Akamai Technologies, Brightcove Inc., Eyeblaster Inc., Major League Baseball and Netflix Inc.
Key said Microsoft is targeting three core audiences with Silverlight, formerly code-named WPF/E: content providers that want to distribute video and rich media over the Web; designers and developers that are building rich interactive applications; and end users that want the best possible experience when viewing Web-based media. Silverlight is compatible with a range of browsers, including Internet Explorer (IE), Safari and Firefox. As demonstrated by Key, the technology delivers a similar user experience on both IE 7 running on Windows Vista and Firefox running on an Apple Macintosh computer. In fact, a big benefit of the technology for end users is that they will not have to download different video player technology to view online media based on what OS they are running. I’m really wondering why they need to change something (Flash) working really good and without problems for almost all users and advertisers as well, but that’s probably what Microsoft likes to do all the time…
Comments(12)
they want to make money. Adobe (they bought macromadia) has a monopoly in this sector and MS doesnt like this.
Macromedia cares very little about Linux. Their Linux port of Flash was shitty and unstable. Since Adobe took over they’ve been getting consistently better about this. I wonder how well the MS port will work.
I think Macromedia’s software are great!
i love dreamweaver and I never liked frontpage
Snarius: You honestly believe that MS will make a Linux port of this browser plugin? I want what you’re smoking good christ.
Perhaps Adobe gets their stuff in order if there’s some competition on the market.
I hate flash though, if for nothing else than the performance is horrible.
RE: Snarius – I can certainly agree with you about macromedia. Since adobe took over work on v9 has started, and actually flash films are in sync but it is not perfectly stable. But it is hilarious, as we all know microsuck is only going to make this for windows and mac, further restricting their advertising reach. (and who does not have noscript and adblock plus, only someone who does not use firefox)
@Mike
Dreamweaver is to rocket ship as Frontpage is to wheel from broken rollerskate…no comparisons.
IMHO flash doesn’t work that well, specially where video is concerned (on the developper side) so I guess competition is never bad, even if it comes from M$.
this is so cool!
check this out
http://www.windowsvista.si/main.htm?show3d=1&content=home
its a page made in silverlight you need it installed for it to work. its very impressive even with 3d effect!
booooo!
Flash rocks.. This Microsoft garbage will suck.
But it will stick around like a bad smell, ruining the internet for everyone for years.
By the way..
- what the hell does this have to do with Dreamweaver??
- Flash performs great! Either update your PC from the 1980’s model you have or slap the web developer in the face.
- Video works fine in flash.. Does youtube suck?
grrr .. die in hell M$
re: Flash lover
I’m no fan of MS either, but i’m not gunna slander a product i’ve not even used yet.
I can see possitive benefits from this. While flash isn’t widely used to broadcast online media (at least not from big business) a microsoft product that does the same thing as flash but has the backing of the above mentioned media groups may push internet broadcasting a bit more into the mainstream which can’t be a bad thing (assuming it’s not loaded with bloadware)
okay, so it kills firefox when I try and use it….