Microsoft and Macromedia to Extend Macromedia Flash Support For iTV Developers

CANNES, France, Feb. 5, 2002 — Microsoft Corp. and Macromedia Inc. today announced their plans to provide broad support to interactive TV (iTV) developers interested in using Macromedia Flash for creating iTV content and services for the Microsoft®
TV platform. Macromedia and Microsoft are collaborating to offer qualified members of the Microsoft TV Developer Program a 15 percent discount on Macromedia Flash, the standard for delivering effective Web interfaces and engaging, branded experiences online. The announcement was made at the Milia 2002 conference in Cannes, France.

The two companies also plan to work together to create additional tools and training that will be available to Microsoft TV Developer Program members. The tools will include custom training modules and content development guidelines for authoring iTV applications for the Microsoft TV platform with Macromedia Flash.

“This joint effort between Microsoft and Macromedia will make it possible for both new and existing Macromedia Flash developers to create the most engaging interactive content optimized for TV,” said Peter Meechan, vice president, Macromedia. “This collaboration eases the development of rich, interactive content and applications for the more than 1 million developers already skilled in creating Macromedia Flash content, giving them a great new platform for their work.”

“We are delighted to be working with Macromedia to assist Microsoft TV developers in creating exciting interactive content for our platform with Macromedia Flash,” said Paul Mitchell, senior director of content, standards and tools for the Microsoft TV Group. “As one of the most widely used tools for developing high-quality user interfaces, applications, animation and graphics on the Internet, Macromedia Flash is easy to use, cost-effective and a vital part of the Microsoft TV Developer Program.”

Members of the Microsoft TV Developer Program will be able to take advantage of special offers, training and resources customized for Microsoft TV to help them easily use Macromedia Flash to create iTV content and applications such as advertising, t-commerce and electronic programming guides. The following are some of the training and resource materials scheduled to be available on the Microsoft TV Developer Program Web site:

  • Macromedia Flash special offer. A special discount of 15 percent will be available to paid members of the Microsoft TV Developer Program between now and March 4.

  • Macromedia Flash Content Development Kit for iTV. This how-to guide will include technical details and best practices — including information on colors, safe areas and font sizes — for creating iTV content for the Microsoft TV platform using Macromedia Flash.

  • Macromedia Flash training. Self-paced, online training modules are designed to help developers get started using Macromedia Flash to create iTV content and applications for the Microsoft TV platform. The course materials are streaming media- and PowerPoint®
    -based.

  • Macromedia Flash JumpStart Kit. A free copy of the Macromedia Flash JumpStart Kit (a two-CD set filled with tutorials, training and royalty-free imagery designed to help new users get started in Macromedia Flash) is available with paid membership to the new Client or Platform levels of the Microsoft TV Developer Program, or to companies that register for any program level at Microsoft’s stand at the Milia conference. The offer is valid through March 29 or while supplies last.

  • Microsoft TV online newsgroup support. Macromedia will participate in a dedicated newsgroup on the Microsoft TV Developer Program Web site to provide technical details and support.

  • Macromedia Flash breakout sessions at upcoming Microsoft TV Developer conferences. These breakout sessions will be devoted to developing iTV content for the Microsoft TV platform using Macromedia Flash, and will include presentations and Q & As with experts.

“Because Macromedia Flash Player is already integrated with the Microsoft TV platform, we’ve been able to create high-quality interactive and animated content that is ideal for game playing and captivating for consumers,” said Richard Kydd, chief technical officer of Two Way TV Ltd. “Macromedia Flash is a comprehensive development environment for creating compelling iTV applications that run in both PAL and NTSC formats.”

About the Microsoft TV Developer Program

With active members in more than 20 countries, the Microsoft TV Developer Program brings together companies across the television and technology industries to create iTV programming, services and applications that run on the Microsoft TV platform; the program also embraces hardware vendors, systems integrators and more. The Developer Program’s membership includes companies that develop tools for iTV content creation and delivery, and companies that develop Windows®
operating system-based games and “edutainment” software that can be adapted for television using Microsoft TV Server products. Microsoft TV is working with companies across the entire spectrum of television and related technologies to help make interactive television a reality.

About the Microsoft TV Platform

The Microsoft TV platform is a standards-based, client and server software family that enables network operators and their partners to deliver the most compelling iTV services to consumers. The platform supports a range of TV devices — from current- and next-generation set-top boxes and digital video recorders to integrated television sets, entertainment appliances and other computing devices. Through the platform, network operators and hardware providers can team up to offer consumers an unparalleled range of services, from e-mail and Internet on television to interactive programming, electronic program guides and digital video recording.

Microsoft TV also creates significant new economic opportunities for network operators and industry leaders worldwide that have chosen to work with the platform to deliver or supply services, programming, hardware and software for the interactive TV industry. Microsoft TV supports open standards and is backed by the technical expertise, support and broad third-party developer community Microsoft is known for. It is an integral part of Microsoft’s .NET vision of empowering people through great software — any time, any place and on any device. More information about the Microsoft TV platform can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/tv/ .

About Macromedia

Macromedia (Nasdaq “MACR”) is passionate about what the Web can be. Its award-winning products empower designers and developers to efficiently create and deliver the most engaging experiences on the Web, and enable innovative Internet business applications. Headquartered in San Francisco, Macromedia has more than 1,400 employees worldwide and is available on the Internet at http://www.macromedia.com/ .

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.

#########

Microsoft, PowerPoint and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages.

Related Posts