Microsoft and Adobe boost web content delivery

Both firms announce new and updated technologies at the National Association of Broadcasters 2007 event in Las Vegas

Microsoft and Adobe have both launched new and updated technologies to support the delivery of interactive web content.

At the National Association of Broadcasters 2007 (NAB2007) event in Las Vegas, Microsoft unveiled its Silverlight technology, a “cross-browser, cross-platform plug-in” previously known as Windows Presentation Foundation Everywhere, which it hopes will rival Adobe’s Flash technology. The tool is designed to support firms wanting to deliver rich media content and interactive applications via the web.

According to the software giant, Silverlight is compatible with existing web technologies but offers a low-cost, high-quality experience from mobile through to high-definition content. It is designed to be compatible with Windows and Macs, and runs on a range of browsers, including Internet Explorer and Firefox.

Microsoft plans to give more details on Silverlight at its Mix07 conference, which also takes place in Las Vegas from 30 April. A beta version will be released during the show.

Also at the show, Microsoft launched its Interactive Media Manager digital content management tool. The product, which is an extension of Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 aimed at the media and entertainment industries, is designed to combine content production workflows with a collaborative interface for accessing media files.

Interactive Media Manager is available now.

As Microsoft attempts to eat away at the dominance of Adobe Flash with its Silverlight technology, Adobe used the NAB2007 event to preview its forthcoming internet video offering, Adobe Media Player.

Based on Flash architecture, the tool is designed to help firms better distribute content, including on-demand streaming and live streaming, while viewers can get access to video content on- and offline. Adobe Media Player will also feature a favourites tool that automatically downloads new episodes of selected TV shows or video podcasts.

Adobe also announced a new development tool for customers of hosted CRM pioneer Salesforce.com.

The Adobe Flex Toolkit for Apex, available now, combines the capabilities of Adobe’s Flex web application development framework with Salesforce’s Apex development platform. Developers can create richer applications for their Salesforce environments and offer Flex-based applications via Salesforce’s AppExchange online application marketplace, Adobe said.