![]() Streaming large media files is expensive, but Microsoft will (optionally) host Silverlight media files and applications. Silverlight supports the display of high-definition video files, and importantly, Microsoft will do the heavy lifting of sending them over the Net. Mash-ups are nothing new, of course, but it is important that Microsoft is giving developers access to its computing resources as well as its user base. For example, today demoed a new version of its service that can connect directly to other subscribers who are MSN Messenger users. These services will allow the creation of interesting online applications that take advantage of existing Microsoft networks and resources. Microsoft is opening up APIs (application program interfaces) for its search engine, for Virtual Earth, for its instant messaging service, and for other services, under generous, but not unlimited, licensing terms. Silverlight is being pushed side-by-side with Microsoft's Live services for developers. But though Silverlight and Flash are competing technologies, Microsoft's offering is different from Adobe's in key ways. Since it is a framework for providing rich applications to the Internet browser, it is indeed that. Microsoft's Silverlight technology, launched at the NAB conference two weeks ago and pitched hard to developers at the Mix '07 conference this week, is being taken as a competitor to Adobe's Flash.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |