Tech Reckoner

Adobe launches Philo, SilverLight is Microsoft’s Answers

Adobe is going to launch Adobe Media Player formerly code-named Philo. Adobe already has online Flash player but this will allow people to play videos off line also. It will let users to subscribe and play video podcasts published with RSS (Really Simple Syndication). It allow users to comment on and share videos.

Publishers using Flash to stream content on web via flash can reuse same assets for downloading content. Currently 67% of the broadcasters use flash for Web Streaming.

Adobe Media Player will also have two kinds of security:

1. First, will allow a downloaded, shareable video file to be bundled with advertising that can’t be separated.
2. Second, will tie down downloaded content to specific machines or people.

Publishers can also deliver different forms of advertisement by taking advantage of RSS extensions.

Adobe Media Player will go into beta testing later in the spring and will be generally available later this year, said Craig Barberich, group product manager. The company intends to offer a version for Linux and to support different media types.

Microsoft has answered to Adobe’s Media Player by launching Silverlight, a Web browser plug-in playing media files and displaying interactive Web applications.

It was formerly called Windows Presentation Foundation/Everywhere(WPF/E) and Microsoft intends to launch its Beta on Monday at National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show in Las Vegas.

Along with this public launch Microsoft also intends to disclose its media and advertising partners.

Silverlight has been under development for last two years. It can display web applications on both Windows and Mac in Internet Explorer, Firefox & Safari. The download will be less than 2MB.

So ain’t it a straight strategy by Microsoft to give an answer to steal the Limelight from Adobe gt;

Why Microsoft just woke up from their Slumber and Renamed Windows Presentation Foundation/Everywhere(WPF/E) to Silverlight on the very same day when Adobe disclosed about Philo.

We have to wait and watch to see who emerges Victorious in this War.

And I wish Adobe wins over Microsoft