Microsoft Delivers Silverlight 1.0, Extends Support to Linux

'Entertainment Tonight' HSN and World Wrestling Entertainment showcase new

online experiences; more than 35 partners commit to Silverlight Partner

Initiative.

    REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Microsoft Corp. today
 released to the Web (RTW) Silverlight(TM) 1.0, a cross-browser,
 cross-platform plug-in for delivering richer user experiences on the Web.
 In addition, Microsoft will work with Novell Inc. to deliver Silverlight
 support for Linux, called Moonlight, and based on the project started on
 mono-project.com.
     (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO )
     Silverlight significantly reduces development and deployment costs and
 provides enhanced Web audio and video streaming and playback using
 industry-leading Windows Media(R) Technologies. Microsoft unveiled new
 Silverlight customer experiences on "Entertainment Tonight," HSN and World
 Wrestling Entertainment, and also launched the Silverlight Partner
 Initiative, a program designed to foster collaboration among solution
 providers, content delivery networks, tools vendors and design agencies.
     "Our expectations for compelling, immersive experiences on the Web are
 increasing daily," said Ray Ozzie, Microsoft's chief software architect.
 "With today's release of Silverlight 1.0, we're making it possible for
 developers and designers to deliver to individuals the kind of high-def
 experiences they crave by integrating data and services in rich and unique
 ways. Silverlight will further accelerate the growth in rich interactive
 applications by giving developers and designers new options for delivering
 great experiences that span the Web, PC, phone and other devices."
     Microsoft, Novell Respond to Shared Customer Demand for Silverlight and
 .NET
     Microsoft is committed to ensuring that organizations have the best
 tools and resources to begin building Silverlight-based solutions with the
 broadest possible reach. The decision to work with Novell to offer
 Silverlight support for the Linux platform is in direct response to
 customer feedback, and both companies are optimistic about the impact this
 extended partnership will have in the industry.
     "Silverlight is a popular new way to build and deliver cross-browser,
 cross-platform experiences on the Web," said Miguel de Icaza, vice
 president of Developer Platforms and leader of the Mono project at Novell.
 "Novell is excited to work with Microsoft to extend Silverlight beyond
 Windows(R) and Macintosh to Linux with Moonlight, so Linux users everywhere
 can enhance their rich media and interactive experiences on the Web."
     Leading Broadcast, Online Content Providers Light up the Web With
 Silverlight
     "Entertainment Tonight," HSN and World Wrestling Entertainment as well
 as several Microsoft Web initiatives including the "Halo(R) 3" preview,
 Tafiti.com and The Podium '08 are just a few of the brands already
 demonstrating the power of Silverlight. "Entertainment Tonight," the No. 1
 entertainment newsmagazine, worked with interactive design agencies REZN8
 and IdentityMine Inc. to build a complete minisite dedicated to Emmy Award
 coverage linked from ETOnline.com and TheInsiderOnline.com. This is the
 first phase in ET's long-term commitment to build Silverlight-powered
 minisites to cover high-profile entertainment events.
     "When 'Entertainment Tonight' was launched 27 years ago, we changed the
 way the world saw celebrity news. I'm thrilled to be partnering with
 Microsoft(R) Silverlight to put 'Entertainment Tonight' on the leading edge
 again and give our viewers a virtual front-row seat at Hollywood's biggest
 events," said Linda Bell Blue, executive producer of Entertainment Tonight.
 "'ET' is the first stop for the stars at the 59th annual Emmy Awards, and
 with Microsoft's revolutionary new technology we will create a truly unique
 interactive experience -- from the red carpet for all the fashions and
 backstage with Mary Hart and the winners to going inside our exclusive
 after-party that all of Hollywood is talking about. This is going to be
 fun."
     To foster greater involvement and collaboration within the interactive
 media industry, Microsoft is rolling out the Silverlight Partner
 Initiative. More than 35 companies have already signed up to support
 Silverlight and take advantage of a broad range of marketing and technical
 benefits enabling them to be more successful. The current list of
 Silverlight Initiative partners by category follows:
     --  Content delivery networks, infrastructure providers: Advection, Akamai
         Technologies Inc., CacheLogic, Edgecast Networks Inc., Internap
         Network Services Corp., iStreamPlanet Co., Level3 and Limelight
         Networks
 
     --  Design agencies: Avenue A|Razorfish, BLITZ, Cynergy Systems Inc., frog
         design inc., IdentityMine Inc., Lightmaker Group Ltd., Metaliq,
         Resolute Solutions Corp., REZN8, Schematic and VML Inc.
 
     --  ISVs/IHVs: Anystream Inc., DayPort Inc., Electric Rain Inc., Inlet
         Technologies Inc., Pinnacle Systems Inc., Rhozet, Sonic Solutions,
         Tarari Inc., Telestream Inc. and Winnov LP
 
     --  Solution providers, systems integrators: BUYDRM, Liquid Compass, MPS
         Broadband AB, Narrowstep Inc., Skinkers, Swarmcast and Twofour Digital
     With its portfolio of application platform technology capabilities and
 products, Microsoft is both a longtime leader in development tools and a
 pioneer in enhancing user experiences on the Web and desktop. The tight
 integration between Visual Studio(R) and Expression Studio allows
 developers and designers to easily share projects, designs and code to
 create stunning, high-quality applications faster and in a more
 cost-effective manner.
     In addition to the release of Silverlight 1.0, Microsoft released
 Expression Encoder 1.0 (formerly Expression Media Encoder), a tool that
 makes it simple for professionals to encode, enhance and publish rich media
 content to Silverlight. The intuitive interface allows users to rapidly
 encode a wide array of file-based media content formats into a Silverlight
 experience. Expression Encoder also eases production of live events using
 sought-after features such as multisource switching and publishing of
 content to services including Silverlight Streaming by Windows Live(TM).
     Product Information and Availability
     Those wanting more information or to download Microsoft Silverlight 1.0
 and Expression Encoder should visit http://www.silverlight.net. At IBC2007
 in Amsterdam Sept. 7-11, Microsoft will provide demonstrations of
 Silverlight 1.0, and Expression Encoder at the Topaz stand. More details
 about today's announcements can be found in the online press room at
 http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/silverlight/default.mspx.
     Founded in 1975, Microsoft ( MSFT) is the worldwide leader in
 software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize
 their full potential.
 
 

SOURCE Microsoft Corp.