Microsoft has unveiled
Microsoft Silverlight, a new cross-browser,
cross-platform plug-in for delivering next generation media
content for the web.
Silverlight, previously called Windows Presentation Foundation
Everywhere (WPF/E), is being pitched as a rival to Adobe’s Flash
Player. Early supporters of the new platform include Akamai
Technologies, Brightcove, Eyeblaster, Limelight Networks, Major
League Baseball and Netflix.
Microsoft said Silverlight integrates with existing web
technologies and assets to deliver higher-quality experiences with
lower costs.
Silverlight offers consistent experiences to both Macintosh and
Windows users on a variety of browsers including Internet Explorer,
Firefox and Safari.
“Content providers are seeking a way to deliver rich interactive
applications using the tools and skills they already have. They
want an end-to-end solution that enables them to rapidly reach
multiple platforms with reasonable deployment costs,” said Bob
Muglia, senior vice-president of the server and tools business at
Microsoft.
Silverlight uses Windows Media Video (WMV), Microsoft’s
implementation of the Society of Motion Picture and Television
Engineers (SMPTE) VC-1 video standard.
A beta for Microsoft Silverlight will become available by the
end of the month.
Adobe donates Flash Player code to
Mozilla
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