Microsoft Introduces a New Version of Silverlight

Looking to provide improved media and rich Internet application (RIA) solution for users, Microsoft has introduced Microsoft (News - Alert) Silverlight 3 and Expression 3. According to Microsoft, both Silverlight and Expression simplify the process of designing and developing attractive user experiences on the Web.

 

Silverlight helps designers come up with rich web applications that run on Mac OS, Windows, and Linux. With Silverlight, companies can design, develop, and deliver powerful applications and experiences for the Web. It’s a browser plug-in that works with Mac OS, Windows, Linux, and devices. It is free, 4MBs and installs in ten seconds.

 

According to Microsoft, there was a strong demand for Microsoft Silverlight 2. The company has also announced new Silverlight and Expression customers including MGM’s “SGU: Stargate Universe” and Continental Airlines Inc. NBC Sports will also be using Silverlight for all of its high-quality online video delivery across its numerous sporting franchises.

 

“Silverlight and Expression fill a clear need in the marketplace for a complete end-to-end solution that makes it easy for development teams to work together effectively, from concept to deployment, to create the types of rich interactive experiences,” said Scott Guthrie, corporate vice president of the .NET (News - Alert) Developer Platform at Microsoft. “In a record amount of time, we’ve gone from being the industry newcomer to achieving a remarkable rate of industry adoption.”

 

Microsoft is further simplifying the pricing and packaging for its design and development tools as part of its commitment to provide powerful, low-cost solutions for building rich user experiences. Silverlight remains a free runtime that almost anyone can use to deliver great Web experiences, claims Microsoft. The company has introduced many new features such as Expression SketchFlow and Out of Browser in Silverlight 3.

 

In July last year, Streaming hardware and software solutions provider ViewCast Corporation joined the Microsoft Silverlight Partner Initiative. The move will allow ViewCast to offer the next generation of .NET based media over the Internet. The ViewCast Niagara SCX encoding platform can offer streaming video and audio content to Silverlight users by tapping the Windows Media/VC-1 format.