Microsoft Lights Way for Next-Generation Web Development and Design at MIX07
Microsoft Silverlight enhancements unveiled including support for .NET managed code and dynamic languages; provides developers and designers with a comprehensive solution for building and delivering Web, PC and device applications.
LAS VEGAS, April 30 -- This week at MIX07, Web designers, Web developers, industry decision-makers and marketing professionals gathered as Microsoft Corp.'s Ray Ozzie, chief software architect, and Scott Guthrie, general manager of the Developer Division, presented the full breadth of Microsoft's vision and road map for Microsoft® Silverlight(TM) and how it fits into the company's broader Microsoft .NET platform and tools effort.
A core component of Microsoft's overall strategy for the Web, Silverlight is a cross-browser, cross-platform plug-in for delivering the next generation of .NET-based media experiences and rich interactive applications (RIAs). In addition to making the beta of Silverlight available for download, Microsoft announced unprecedented support for dynamic languages including Python and Ruby, powerful services integration and new tooling in the Expression® Studio and the next edition of Visual Studio®, code-named "Orcas," for building Silverlight applications.
"Silverlight is an important aspect of our software-plus-services strategy focused on delivering great user experiences that span the Web, the PC and mobile devices," said Ozzie. "It does so, in part, by bridging technical barriers that previously made it difficult for Web developers and designers to collaborate. As a result, Silverlight will play an important role in helping advance the Web with a platform for creating rich, interactive experiences."
Web Developers Test-Drive the Latest Microsoft Web Technologies
The combination of Microsoft Silverlight and the latest platform and tooling enhancements make the .NET Framework unequaled for building and delivering Web, Windows®, and rich interactive applications. The .NET Framework now also has unparalleled support for developer and designer tools and multiple languages, ensuring the most productive experience for developers and designers alike. Today's announcements include the following:
o Microsoft Silverlight 1.0 beta availability. Optimized for the Web,
Microsoft Silverlight enables developers and designers to easily use
existing skills and Visual Studio and Expression Studio tools to
deliver media experiences and rich interactive applications.
Silverlight works with any back-end Web platform or technology,
seamlessly integrating with existing infrastructure and applications,
including Apache and PHP, as well as JavaScript and XHTML on the
client. Beta 1.0 includes a go-live license, which means customers can
deploy their Silverlight applications in production. Final availability
of Microsoft Silverlight 1.0 is scheduled for summer 2007.
o Microsoft Silverlight 1.1 Alpha availability. Based on the .NET
Framework, Silverlight 1.1 Alpha offers broader tools and language
support. It enables developers to take advantage of support for
powerful .NET features including ASP.NET AJAX and Language-Integrated
Query (LINQ) language, with full IntelliSense® editing enabled for
client and server code; powerful cross-platform debugging capabilities;
and rich language support for JavaScript, Visual Basic®, C+, Python
and Ruby.
o Expression Studio now shipping. Expression Studio, Microsoft's end-to-
end tools for creative designers, boosts collaboration with developers
in the delivery of next-generation user experiences for Windows, the
Web and beyond.
o Microsoft Silverlight Streaming. Silverlight Streaming is a new
companion service for Silverlight that makes it easier for developers
and designers to deliver and scale rich media as part of their
Silverlight applications.
o Windows Live Platform Terms of Use. Microsoft is enabling the developer
community to take advantage of the Windows Live(TM) services
infrastructure and gain access to all the APIs through a simple,
consistent set of terms that address multiyear supportability, scale,
cost structure and commercial use of the platform. In addition,
Microsoft announced new APIs to support programmatic access to Windows
Live Spaces, Windows Live Contacts and Windows Live Messenger.
Microsoft Partners Showcase Benefits of Microsoft Web Technologies
The MIX07 event features participants from leading Web, media and design companies including Avenue A | Razorfish, BBC, CBS Television Stations, Disney, Electric Rain Inc., Facebook, frog design inc., gotomedia inc, IdentityMine Inc., Metaliq and Schematic.
"Central to our 'Always On' strategy has been the desire to create an interactive environment where our audiences can participate in the local broadcast process," said Jonathan Leess, president and general manager of CBS Television Stations Digital Media Group. "This project, using Microsoft Silverlight technology, allows us to empower the massive long tail of untapped local media content that is waiting to converge with the broadband and broadcast mediums."
"Our business is to create new and innovative cutting-edge solutions. We are always trying new technologies like Silverlight to redefine the limits of what can be done with interactive applications," said Beau Ambur, CEO and founder of Metaliq. "With Microsoft, our designers and developers are able to work in parallel throughout a project, enabling us to deliver some of the richest experiences on the Web."
MIX07 runs through Wednesday in Las Vegas. More information - including customer and partner videos and demos, keynote clips, Microsoft product overviews, and footage from the event floor - can be found by visiting http://visitmix.com/.
Product Information and Availability
The Microsoft Silverlight 1.0 Beta and 1.1 Alpha are available for download at www.microsoft.com/silverlight. Those interested in learning more about Silverlight and joining its growing community can visit www.silverlight.net/. Expression Studio is expected to be commercially available in May 2007. Customers interested in pre-ordering Expression Studio can visit www.amazon.com/ for details.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
Source: Microsoft
CONTACT: Rapid Response Team, Waggener Edstrom Worldwide,
+1-503-443-7070, rrt@waggeneredstrom.com
Web site: www.microsoft.com
