10/13/2008, 3:25pm, EDT
Monday, October 13thMicrosoft set to release Silverlight 2
Microsoft is nearing a final release of its updated programmable browser plugin, Silverlight 2, with a beta version available for download. Many of the new features are designed to be attractive to developers, which will be a key factor for taking market share from its main competitor, Adobe Flash. Support for the full range of .NET framework has been added, which further expands the list of compatible programming languages that also includes Visual Basic, C#, JavaScript, IronPython, and IronRuby. The plugin now works across Windows, Mac, or Linux systems in Firefox, Safari, and Internet Explorer.
The release features new tools such as DataGrid, ListBox, Slider, ScrollView, and Calendar controls. Developers can change the look of applications with new support for skinning and templates, or use a new deep zoom function for navigation of high resolution content. Content protection has been enhanced, adding Silverlight DRM, which is powered by Microsoft's PlayReady client.
The Redmond-based software giant is pushing the adoption of the technology by partnering with well known entities including CBS College Sports, Blockbuster, Hard Rock Cafe, Yahoo Japan, AOL, Toyota, HSN, and Tencent. Microsoft claims the installation of the plugin approaches 50 percent in some countries, with 30 percent in the US.
The success of the application so far can be partially attributed to the 2008 Olympics, where it was used to deliver content on websites such NBCOlympics.com in the US and others internationally. Silverlight 2 will be available for download from Microsoft starting Tuesday, October 14. Users that have already installed Silverlight 1 or the Silverlight 2 betas will automatically be updated.
Filed under: Graphics/Web Design
Other story tags: Microsoft, Silverlight
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trope
Does every article about Microsoft have to include the phrase "software giant"? Is it some kind of law?
yes there is a law
You must use either "convicted monopolist" or "software giant" in all articles about Microsoft.
open source flash
I wish Adobe would open source Flash (all the parts they own) and kill off all this Silverlight nonsense one and for all.
hopefully...
The new and improved developer resources will create more opportunities for malware on Silverlight -- I can only imagine the nightmare that could create :)
This abomination (Silverlight) needs to go away, and soon... before too many suits buy into the mythos (like so many poor souls have done with SharePoint... bless their little money-bleeding hearts).
Netflix Watch Instantly
I've been waiting eagerly for this release, because Netflix has been saying for months that they're waiting for silverlight DRM to release a mac-compatible version of their Watch Instantly feature. It's been too long.
@sujovian
See, that's the point. You've already got company's that are MAKING you use SILVERTRASH before their stuff will work. Once the whole web starts using this crapware then Microshaft will stop supporting the Mac platform like they've done with all the rest of their web junkware. Hasn't anyone learned from the Internet Exploder debacle?
Re: @sujovian
You've already got company's that are MAKING you use SILVERTRASH before their stuff will work.
Wow, and have you actually used the software, or just deciding that its trash because it is from MS?
Once the whole web starts using this crapware then Microshaft will stop supporting the Mac platform like they've done with all the rest of their web junkware. Hasn't anyone learned from the Internet Exploder debacle?
I'm sorry, but IE was never the same on the Mac as it was on windows, so it wasn't a big deal. And who the hell used IE for Mac anyway? I know of no one who cried for its demise.
So, what would you have Netflix do? Use Flash? No, can't do that, Flash sucks too. Maybe they could use Quicktime? Nope, because it has no DRM abilities at all. I know, they can make their own format with DRM, so we can have another proprietary format with crappy DRM in it and even more plugins for your computer to have break.
The most practical solution for Netflix would be Fairplay, as it would offer everything they would need, most likely. But Apple won't license it. So they have to either roll their own or use an existing technology. At least they didn't choose WMV, which wouldn't work on a Mac at all.
IE is not WMP
Microsoft created a Windows Media Player for the Mac platform when it was clear that without such, Windows Media would go nowhere.
Once enough folks had bought into Windows Media Microsoft dropped WMP/Mac, and does not allow their Windows Media DRM system to be used on Mac systems at all.
IE was the default browser on Mac OS 9 through 10.3. Lots of people used it. Many still would (hey, not everyone is smart) if MS hadn't also abandoned that product.
SilverLight on Windows is pretty damn awful, and as soon as MS can get away with pulling the Mac and Linux versions do you really think they won't?
uh
"Wow, and have you actually used the software, or just deciding that its trash because it is from MS?"
have you? instead of worrying about what others say why don't you tell us your first hand experience with it?
@nat
I take it from your "have you?" reply that you have not. Well I have, and compared to flash, the Microsoft Expressions development software Silverlight addressed a number of issues that were not found in Flash. Hell, 3-D, for one! So, your earlier 'decision' that is was trash cold not have been because you've actually worked with it. It's ok though, I'm used to hearing ALL MS hate in this forum.